Rebels bikies Matthew Savage and Jahmahl Pearson jailed over illicit Gippsland tobacco fires

Two Rebels bikies have been jailed after driving five hours across Victoria to set a Gippsland smoke shop alight in what was one of the most remote incidents in the state’s ongoing tobacco war.

Two men have been jailed over the torching of a tobacco shop in the sleepy Gippsland town of Orbost.

Matthew Savage, 42, and Jahmahl Pearson, 31, pleaded guilty to the arson attack in what was one of the most remote incidents in Victoria’s ongoing tobacco war.

The Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday heard the pair, who police previously claimed were Rebels bikies, drove five hours from Melbourne to Orbost to set the Nicholson St store ablaze.

The pair is arrested over the fire. Picture: Supplied

The pair will be freed in less than two months. Picture: Supplied

Bottles filled with accelerant and a jerry can were set on fire and thrown at the front door about 4.15am on April 5 last year before the pair fled.

The court heard the fire self-extinguished but destroyed stock and damaged the ceiling, floor and walls.

A precise damage figure could not be determined because the owner declined to co-operate but it was estimated to be less than $100,000.

Magistrate Andrew Waters said the exact circumstances were unknown but Savage had admitted he was paid to carry out the attack.

“What we do have is a planned, targeted attack on a business premises,” he said.

Savage was jailed for 11 months and 14 days and Pearson for 11 months, with both to serve an 18-month community correction order after their release.

They will also have to complete 100 hours of unpaid community work and take part in rehabilitative treatment.

With time served, the men will be freed in less than two months.