Daniel Wilfred George Turcan pleads guilty to unlawful dealing with explosive

A father-of-one was lucky to escape actual jail time after he hurled a flaming fuel can at his parent’s neighbour’s home in a “foolish” act of revenge.

Daniel Wilfred George Turcan pleaded guilty to unlawful dealing with explosives or noxious substances.

A Bundaberg father with no criminal history has been told his mother saved him from jail time after she put out an explosive fire he lit at her neighbour’s home.

Daniel Wilfred George Turcan pleaded guilty at Bundaberg Magistrates Court on July 11 to one count of unlawful dealing with explosives or noxious substances.

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The court was told the 37-year-old was visiting his parents at their Bucca home when his teenage son was “verbally abused” by their neighbours after he took a shortcut across their property.

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The following day the Toowoomba concreter threw a can of fuel, which he had ignited with a soaked rag, over the fence towards the home.

In a state of alcohol-fuelled aggression the following day, the Toowoomba concreter tossed a can of fuel which he had ignited with a soaked rag over the fence at the neighbour’s home.

The court was told Turcan’s mother acted quickly and used a garden hose to put out the blaze before it could cause any damage.

No restitution was sought for the minor charring a stump on the home sustained.

Police Prosecutor Vicki Kennedy-Grills said despite Turcan’s minimal criminal history, the crime was “quite a serious act” and carried the possibility of a seven-year jail sentence.

Defence lawyer Matt Maloy said the father-of-one had already spent 60 days in presentence custody which was “a significant penalty for someone who has never been in trouble before”.

Mr Maloy told the court Turcan understood it was a “foolish and potentially very dangerous act” and was now seeking counselling for his drinking and anger issues.

Magistrate John McInnes said Turcan was “fortunate” his mother had put out the blaze as “this sort of offending can very easily, even for young first time offenders, end in terms in jail.”

“His mum probably saved him from a jail term,” he said.

Turcan received six months probation and no conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Daniel Wilfred George Turcan pleads guilty to unlawful dealing with explosive