Truckie Michael John Price loses appeal against severity of sentence for setting fire to former partner

A DRUNK truck driver who set his partner alight in a shocking case of domestic violence has lost an appeal against the severity of his sentence.

The Supreme Court building in Hobart.

A DRUNK truck driver who set his partner alight in a shocking case of domestic violence has lost an appeal against the severity of his sentence.

Austins Ferry man Michael John Price, 45, was jailed for 10 years for splashing petrol on his partner Leesa Jacobs and setting her on fire during an argument in 2015.

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The assault left the victim, who had been dating Price for 18 months, with horrific injuries.

Price appealed his sentence, which came with a six year non-parole period, as being manifestly excessive.

This morning in the Hobart Supreme Court his lawyer Bill Ayliffe, SC, said the sentence handed down by now retired Justice David Porter was “massively” beyond the usual sentence range for grievous bodily harm

The appeal was held before Justices Helen Wood, Shan Tennent and Stephen Estcourt.

Justice Wood said the usual sentencing range did not apply.

“The ordinary range only applies to ordinary cases so if this is not an ordinary case why are we looking at that range,” she said.

The judges unanimously dismissed the appeal after a brief adjournment.

Originally published as Truckie Michael John Price loses appeal against severity of sentence for setting fire to former partner