Jewel Dulcie Winifred Accoom, 23, jailed for arson over mattress fire

A young woman with “complex needs” has been sentenced to three years’ jail after pleading guilty to arson for setting her mattress alight in Cairns North.

Emergency crews on McLeod St in Cairns North in September 2023 attending to the unit fire. Picture: Catherine Duffy

A young woman with “complex needs” has been sentenced to three years’ jail after pleading guilty to arson for setting her mattress alight at a Cairns North community housing unit and causing significant damage.

The court was told Jewel Dulcie Winifred Accoom, 23, was arrested soon after the fire and had been in custody for about 15 months awaiting sentence.

Crown prosecutor Tegan Grasso described the fire as an “inexplicable act”, saying Accoom set her mattress on fire with a lighter.

She said the blaze at the McLeod Street unit complex on September 4, 2023, caused about $170,000 damage to the community housing dwelling.

A mattress fire started by Jewel Accoom, 23, caused some $170,000 in damage, Cairns District Court was told. Picture: Catherine Duffy

Ms Grasso told the court Accoom had a lengthy criminal history that included offences of violence and deprivation of liberty against support workers, as well as assaulting prison officers, wilful damage and assault occasioning bodily harm.

Defence barrister Rachelle Logan said Accoom had experienced much disadvantage in her life and was first introduced to drugs at the age of seven.

She said Accoom began consuming more harmful drugs like methylamphetamines as she became older, which, combined with serious social and mental health issues, made life extremely challenging.

The court was told Accoom lived with a “constellation” of mental health and drug issues, but had received extensive support and education in prison on remand.

Ms Logan said Accoom was now clean of drugs and had been receiving intensive support in prison, with a representative from her support service attending the sentencing.

Accoom completed behaviour management courses in prison and had been assigned housing upon her release.

Judge Ian Dearden said Accoom was living with a “constellation of issues” and addressed her directly about the danger and impact of her actions.

He sentenced her to three years’ imprisonment, with a parole release date of April 29 2025, acknowledging that Accoom had already spent 527 days in custody.

“This is a bad example of setting a fire to property. There were people upstairs in the unit and this was a danger to others,” Judge Dearden said.

Judge Ian Dearden told Accoom she put people in danger as others were at home in the unit complex when she lit her mattress on fire. Picture: Catherine Duffy

He said Accoom’s early guilty plea showed she accepted responsibility for her actions.

“I understand there have been a whole lot of things in your life that have been incredibly difficult and many of these things are a result of what people have done to you or around you,” he said.

He said Accoom was well supported now and had a chance to live a different kind of life.

“You’ve got a lot of people who want to help you so don’t disappoint them. It’s good for you and it’s good for all of us if you make good decisions,” he said.

Originally published as Jewel Dulcie Winifred Accoom, 23, jailed for arson over mattress fire