Brodie Sanderson pleads guilty to arson at Bli Bli impound lot

An aspiring real estate agent has admitted to his role in devastating car fire which decimated an impound yard and caused more than $150,000 in damages.

Brodie David Sanderson faced Maroochydore District Court while in custody on Monday. Picture: David Clark

An aspiring real estate agent will serve more time behind bars for his role in causing $150,000 in damages at a Sunshine Coast impound lot by setting a car ablaze.

Brodie David Sanderson and Matthew Maher admitted to destroying evidence at a Bli Bli impound lot after the stolen vehicle was found abandoned on the Bruce Hwy on June 3, 2023.

Maroochydore District Court heard this week the car was taken to the police holding yard where it was parked for the night for investigation.

Crown prosecutor Rhys Byrne said Sanderson and Maher inspected the yard before they went to Bunnings and bought bolt cutters but stole gloves.

Mr Byrne said the pair returned to the impound yarn while disguised and cut the fence open and gained entry.

Brodie David Sanderson. Picture: social media

Sanderson’s role involved pouring accelerant on the vehicle, while Maher ignited it.

A large fire ensued which engulfed the car and the shed.

The crown prosecutor said the business was quoted $157,000 to repair the damages from the blaze.

Mr Byrne said on July 1 police recovered a mobile phone with found incriminating texts between Sanderson and Maher.

The Ningi man was arrested by police on July 12, where he declined to give the PIN code for two devices.

Sanderson was charged with six offences including arson, endangering property by fire, entering a premises with intent and stealing, which he pleaded guilty to this week.

The court heard Maher was sentenced on May 31 to four years’ jail, with parole eligibility after serving 13 months.

Mr Byrne said Sanderson had a criminal history, as recent as September 2023 where he was jailed for three years for stealing an $85,000 powerboat from a Kunda Park diesel mechanic in October 2021.

The car impound lot fire which caused more than $150,000 in damages. Picture: Contributed

The court heard Sanderson has been in custody since July 12 last year, which was about 13 months in custody.

Defence barrister Angus Edwards said Maher was more the “moving mind” behind the plan as he contacted Sanderson to meet him prior to the arson.

Mr Edwards said the 28-year-old’s criminal history only really began in 2020 which coincided with his drug use problems.

The court was told Sanderson worked as an electrician in the past before he tried his hand at being a real estate agent.

Sanderson’s barrister said the Ningi man’s life took a turn after he witnessed a serious crash at Wamuran, which greatly affected his mental health. He has since found rehabilitation services on remand.

Sanderson was jailed for three years, which will start at the end of his current jail period he was currently serving.

Only 62 days of his period on remand were declared as time served, with a parole eligibility set at July 11, 2025.

Originally published as Brodie Sanderson pleads guilty to arson at Bli Bli impound lot