Alleged arsonist threatened to ‘wipe half of Tunnack out’ in voicemails played in court

Around 30 voicemails sent in June 2023 by the alleged Baden Hall arsonist were heard in court on Wednesday, with threats made to “wipe half of Tunnack out” and “set fire to the shearing shed”.

The original Baden Hall in Baden, close to Oatlands. Picture: supplied

A love triangle has emerged in the trial of the alleged Baden Hall arsonist, with voicemails from the accused telling a competing suitor he would “wipe half of Tunnack out” being played in court on Wednesday.

Rodney Jeffrey Bailey, 43, faced the first day of his trial in Hobart’s Supreme Court of Tasmania, accused of the alleged arson of the century-old Baden Hall on June 28, 2023, located south-east of Oatlands.

He pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to the single charge.

Before Acting Justice David Porter, prosecutor Ian Arendt questioned Tunnack resident Stuart Palmer about voicemails from Mr Bailey the night of the Baden Hall fire.

Rodney Jeffrey Bailey. Picture: Facebook

Mr Palmer was with his friend Rebecca Green at his Tunnack Road residence when he received the voicemails.

He then contacted police after hearing of the Hall fire, with the voicemails on his phone played and recorded on police bodycam at the Oatlands Police Station.

“If you think I’m f***ing around, I’ll set fire to the shearing shed,” Mr Bailey said in his voicemail to Mr Palmer.

“I’m about to wipe half of Tunnack out bruv seriously.

“I’m gonna start from there and work my way up.

“You look how many times you lied to me, but you know what I’m not letting it go tonight.

“Best wake everyone up bruv, you’re about to see the fire brigade come speeding past your house.”

Among what Mr Palmer states were approximately 30 voicemails, Mr Bailey can also be heard stating “Look out your back porch c*** – that’s because of Bec.”

The deliberately lit fire destroyed the 1900s Baden Hall in 2023. Picture: Tasmania Police.

Mr Palmer told the court he had told Rebecca Green, or Bec as she is referred to in the voicemails, that he “loved her” and wanted to be in a relationship with her.

“I was only aware when he went through Ms Green’s phone that Mr Bailey was interested in her too,” he said.

“I was not aware until after the fire.”

Mr Bailey’s defence lawyer Rochelle Mainwaring put to Mr Palmer that he was “jealous of Mr Bailey” and his relationship with Ms Green.

“You were aware someone was vying for Rebecca’s attention?” she said.

“Isn’t he upset in those phone calls because he became aware of your affections for Ms Green.”

The area where the remnants of Baden Hall lay. Picture: Google

Mr Palmer stated this was untrue.

Ms Mainwaring questioned Mr Palmer on whether he had previously had a conversation with Mr Bailey asking him if he would “burn down a few homes in Tunnack” or “burn down Baden Hall”.

Mr Palmer said the conversation had not occurred.

Peter Harold Collins, owner of Baden Hall and 400 acres around the property, also gave evidence on Wednesday, stating the Hall had been secured with bolts and a padlock on all doors and had no electricity running to it for “a few years prior” to the 2023 fire.

The trial will continue in the Supreme Court of Tasmania on Thursday.

Originally published as Alleged arsonist threatened to ‘wipe half of Tunnack out’ in voicemails played in court