Tyson Stocks pleads guilty to arson, recklessly endangering life

A Winchelsea man who could not remember setting a home on fire, has been jailed for more than three years.

Tyson Stocks (pictured) has been jailed for his role in an arson attack in Winchelsea. Fire picture: TJ Walton

A Winchelsea man who set fire to a home after a night of heavy drinking because he blamed the resident for the death of his friend, has been jailed for more than three years.

Tyson Stocks had been drinking beer and bourbon when he walked into the McDonald Drive home in Winchelsea about 11.30pm on March 6 this year and lit a couch on fire.

The fire spread so quickly it caused the neighbouring home to become completely engulfed by flames.

Stocks pleaded guilty in the Geelong County Court to charges of arson and reckless conduct endangering life.

The 25-year-old was jailed for three years and six months on Thursday.

The court heard Stocks lit the fire because he blamed the resident of the home for his friend’s suicide.

The home in Winchelsea which was the target of Stocks’ arson attack.

The fire spread from the couch to a neighbouring home, owned and occupied by Daryl Leak.

A witness said both homes were filled with smoke and, within minutes, were completely ablaze.

The court heard Stocks called his father, admitted to his crimes, and handed himself into police.

Kate and Daryl Leak at the Winchelsea home, which was damaged by fire.

Mr Leak said his home sustained about $720,000 worth of damage during the fire.

When questioned by police, Stocks said he could not remember starting the fire and had no intention of hurting anyone.

Stocks’ defence counsel said there was no clear motivation for his offending, but said Stocks knew the occupant and used to take drugs at the home.

Kate and Daryl Leak’s home.

Judge Gavan Meredith said Stocks had a dysfunctional upbringing, was exposed to drug abuse from an early age, and had a number of mental health issues.

He said the incident lacked sophistication.

In sentencing, Judge Meredith said Stocks’ long-term ice habit had played a role in his offending.

Stocks was sentenced to three and a half years jail, with a non-parole period of one year and 10 months.

Tyson Stocks. Picture: Facebook

Originally published as Tyson Stocks pleads guilty to arson, recklessly endangering life