Supreme Court Judge Justice Tamara Jago activates Seth William Townsend’s suspended sentences

Not long after serving a reduced sentence, a man reoffended several times over a three-month period. Here’s what a Supreme Court judge said about him.

Generic house fire image

A convicted arsonist who was given a reduced jail term for attempting to burn down the same Devonport house twice within a week will be spending time in prison after breaching the terms of his suspended sentence.

Seth William Townsend was sentenced to 21 months in jail last year when he appeared in the Supreme Court for two counts of arson and a count of assault.

However, the now 21-year-old only had to spend six months in prison as the rest of his sentence was suspended.

The two counts of arson were regarding two attempts to burn down a house in Devonport.

The first attempt happened on September 28, 2022, when Townsend set fire to a towel being used as a curtain at the residence.

That caused around $40,000 worth of damage.

Supreme Court Justice Tamara Jago. Picture: Supplied.

However, while handing down her comments regarding the breaches of the suspended sentence, Supreme Court Justice Tamara Jago said his second arson attempt was more destructive.

“The respondent returned to the same house on 2 October 2022,” Justice Jago said.

“This time, he was in the company of another person.

“He and his accomplice entered the property, piled up numerous flammable items and set fire to the residence.

“The fire destroyed one-half of the house and caused damage to other areas. The value of the damage was approximately $450,000, including contents.”

In January 2023, Townsend also punched his friend in the face, which resulted in three of his teeth being knocked out.

After serving time in jail, in August of this year, he was convicted and sentenced to 10 months imprisonment after appearing in the Devonport Magistrates Court for five counts of stealing, three counts of destroying property, four counts of injuring property, 12 counts of contravening conditions of notice and breach of bail conditions, five counts of trespass, one count of resisting police, and one count of committing a nuisance.

Burnie Supreme and Magisterial Courts

Due to the recent spate of crimes, Townsend breached the terms of his previously suspended sentence by the Supreme Court.

Justice Jago said he had also failed to comply with his community corrections order.

“Not only has the respondent demonstrated an ongoing attitude of disobedience towards the law by the commission of the various offences, but he has not made any effort, in my assessment, to comply with the terms of the Community Corrections order.

“That suggests to me the respondent does not have the desire and is not sufficiently committed to rehabilitating himself.

“There are only so many opportunities a court can offer to a defendant before a stern response is warranted.”

Justice Jago activated the pair of Townsend’s suspended sentences, which were 12 and three months each, and ruled that they be served concurrently.

Originally published as Supreme Court Judge Justice Tamara Jago activates Seth William Townsend’s suspended sentences