Thug jailed for helping set man on fire while he slept in his car
A sleeping Frankston father was woken by the sensation of being doused in petrol before seeing a Zippo lighter fall towards him in slow motion. Years later an ice junkie has finally been brought to justice for the “hideous” act of violence.
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A thug who helped a mate set a sleeping man alight before leaving him to burn alive has been jailed for his “hideous” act of violence.
Clinton Phillips, 41, an ice addict with a history of frenzied armed robberies, will spend at least five years behind bars for his role in the attack which left father Phil Payet with disfiguring burns to almost 70 per cent of his body.
Mr Payet had been fixing up a second hand car outside his Frankston home when he fell asleep in the driver’s seat in the early hours of December 27, 2016.
He was woken by the “cold and wet” sensation of being doused in petrol before seeing a Zippo lighter fall towards him in slow motion.
Phillips had no explanation for why he went with co-accused, David Maddocks, to Mr Payet’s home that night.
Phillips pleaded guilty to one count of recklessly causing serious injury, while Maddocks — who poured the accelerant and lit the match — has admitted to intentionally causing the horrific burns.
In a victim impact statement to the County Court, Mr Payet recalled the “excruciating” pain of being engulfed in flames for “what felt like an eternity”.
He was eventually saved by his son and neighbours who ran to his aid after hearing his screams.
Phillips and Maddocks fled the scene in separate cars driven by their girlfriends.
It took more than three years for investigators to track them down in prison where they were serving sentences for unrelated crimes.
Mr Payet said since the attack he feels like a “freak show” and “skeleton of his former self”.
Following the fire, the then 39-year-old was placed in an induced coma for two months, losing half his body weight and was forced to learn how to talk, walk and eat again.
“I hate what I see when I look in the mirror,” his statement read.
“No one will ever truly understand the trauma I hold on to,” he said.
Mr Payet’s partner Liz Lewis said her family had been given a “life sentence”.
Sentencing Judge Liz Gaynor said the suffering of the Payet family deserved special recognition.
“It is appalling, hideous and incredibly serious offending,” Judge Gaynor said.
“The injuries inflicted could hardly be more grave,” her honour said.
Judge Gaynor said while she accepted Phillips had played a lesser role in the attack than his co-accused Maddocks, his offending was most serious.
At the time of the offending, Phillips was using about 2g of ice every day and had become entangled in the drug scene were he met Maddocks.
The court heard Phillips had pleaded guilty at an early stage, but only after more serious charges were dropped and had offered no co-operation to police.
Judge Gaynor said his prospects of rehabilitation were guarded.
Phillips was sentenced to a maximum seven years jail.
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