Kaleb William Thomas Ross sentenced in court for unlawful use of a motor vehicle and arson

A young man who was in with the wrong crowd and using drugs set fire to a stolen car near Bunnings Rockhampton, leaving a “struggling single mother” more than $18,000 out of pocket.

A young man who was in with the wrong crowd and using drugs set fire to a stolen car near Bunnings Rockhampton, leaving a “struggling single mother” more than $18,000 out of pocket.

Kaleb William Thomas Ross, 20, pleaded guilty in Rockhampton District Court on November 29 to one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and arson.

Crown prosecutor Samantha O’Rourke said Ross and his co-offender, Brodie Anthony Muir, came into possession of a Kia that had been stolen from the victim’s address on December 16, 2019.

Ms O’Rourke said Ross drove the car to a vacant lot at River Rose Drive, Norman Gardens, on December 23 where it was set on fire.

Kaleb William Thomas Ross, 20, appeared in Rockhampton District Court on November 29, 2021.

She said Muir gave Ross his shirt and Ross went back to the car to ensure it was on fire before fleeing the area.

Ms O’Rourke said Ross denied the offending to police, falsely claiming to have an alibi, when he was arrested and interviewed on January 15, 2020.

She said when Ross was confronted with that lie, he told police he drove the car but claimed it was Muir who lit the fire.

Ms O’Rourke said the arson victim purchased the car for $18,741 and it was not insured and that she still owed $8,500.

Judge Paul Smith said the offending had a “significant effect” on the “struggling single mother”, who the court heard was impacted day to day due to not having a car.

“She still has to pay off the car,” Judge Smith said.

Ms O’Rourke said Ross had greater involvement than Muir as he was the one to ensure the car was on fire and also lied to police.

She said Muir was sentenced to two years and four months prison with immediate parole in Rockhampton District Court on July 29, 2020 for the arson.

Ms O’Rourke said Muir was dealt with as assisting the arson.

Defence barrister Julie Marsden said her client started using drugs at 14 years old and was using marijuana and methamphetamine and had been homeless for some time.

Ms Marsden said when her client committed the offences he was in with the “wrong crowd” and was “making stupid decisions”.

She said her client initially denied his offending to police because he knew he was in trouble and was “panicked”.

Ms Marsden said her client had asked for information about rehabilitation facilities and desired to move to the Gold Coast to work with his uncle, who owned an electrical company.

“He accepts his friendship groups in Rockhampton are not good positive choices,” she said.

“He desires to leave the area and start fresh.”

Ross was sentenced to two years and four months prison with seven days declared as time served and parole release on February 22, 2022.

Criminal convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Kaleb William Thomas Ross sentenced in court for unlawful use of a motor vehicle and arson