Jesse Cakurs pleads guilty to setting fire to woman’s car at Buderim

A man who calmly drove to a service station and filled a jerry can with petrol went onto use it in a potentially ‘catastrophic’ arson incident against his ex-girlfriend, a court has heard.

Jesse Cakurs faces Maroochydore District Court on Monday. Picture: Patrick Woods

A Hervey Bay man spent months on remand after he set his former partner’s car on fire in a troubled domestic violence incident in broad daylight, a court has heard.

Jesse Cakurs spent 150 days behind before he was granted bail following the feverish incident in Buderim on September 10, 2023.

The 37-year-old returned with his ex-girlfriend to her home in the early morning following a camping trip when a row began due to the presence of another man.

Crown prosecutor Michael Andronicus said Cakurs allegedly punched the man, however was ultimately pushed out the door and left the scene. He was not charged with assault.

Jesse Cakurs (right) outside court. Picture: Patrick Woods

Cakurs drove to a nearby service station that morning and filled up $133 worth of fuel into his car and a jerry can and left without paying. He then returned to her home.

Maroochydore District Court was told on Monday that one of the woman’s neighbours notified the woman there was an elephant statue protruding from her car’s windshield and the police were called.

It was here the Hervey Bay man poured the fuel through the windshield into the woman’s car before he sparked an inferno with his lighter.

The victim heard a “bang” and could see flames coming out from its windows as one of her neighbours tried to extinguish the blaze with a hose.

The Eli Waters man was seen leaving in his van as emergency services were on the way.

Fortunately the blaze did not spread to the rest of the unit block, but Mr Andronicus said there could’ve been “catastrophic consequences” if the inferno spread to the building.

Mr Andronicus said Cakurs turned himself into police the next day and confessed to his crimes.

He was charged with stealing and arson and spent almost five months on remand before he was bailed on February 7 last year.

Cakurs pleaded guilty to both charges in court on Monday.

The Crown prosecutor said the woman did not provide a victim impact statement but indicated how she was still frightened of Cakurs two years later and had an ongoing fear he was going to find her.

He pleaded guilty. Picture: Patrick Woods

The court was told the woman only bought the $3500 car days earlier before he set it alight. It was also written off.

Defence barrister Lily Brisick said since Cakurs was released from jail 17 months ago he turned his life around in a “remarkable” way which included overturning a drug addiction and treating his mental health.

Ms Brisick said the offences stemmed from a combination of these, with the 37-year-old using meth heavily at the time.

Cakurs now lives in the Wide Bay region and volunteers his time at a wildlife sanctuary while awaiting a new job offer.

She said he expressed remorse and managed his mental health.

Judge Michael Williamson KC said the arson was an “inherently dangerous” act with it being good fortune the fire did not spread, but accepted Cakurs had rehabilitated himself and opted not to send him back to jail.

Cakurs was jailed for three-and-a-half-years’, suspended after the time already served. He must also pay $3500 in compensation to the victim.

Originally published as Jesse Cakurs pleads guilty to setting fire to woman’s car at Buderim