Arsonist David Leslie Chandler a risk to public safety, judge says

A MAN who set fire to a North Hobart mental health centre in 2016 because he blamed the mental health system for ruining his life has been indefinitely detained because of the risk he poses to the community.

A MAN who set fire to a North Hobart mental health centre in 2016 because he blamed the mental health system for ruining his life has been indefinitely detained because of the risk he poses to the community.

In February a jury found David Leslie Chandler, 55, guilty of setting fire to the Peacock Centre in Elphinstone Rd.

Justice Gregory Geason today sentenced Chandler, a diagnosed schizophrenic, to a prison term and an indefinite period of detention at the Wilfred Lopes secure mental health centre.

Justice Geason described the arson, that destroyed the Peacock Centre and left a damage bill in excess of $2 million, as “a very serious example of the crime”.

The fire at the Peacock Centre in North Hobart. Reader’s Picture: NIKKI LONG

The court heard Chandler telephoned the Peacock Centre on December 7, 2016, and spoke to a receptionist.

He demanded to speak to a particular doctor. When told the doctor was not available, he became abusive.

Justice Geason said after the phone call, Chandler went to a service station in Moonah and bought $5 worth of petrol, which he dispensed into a container, and drove to the Peacock Centre.

Fire at the Peacock Centre mental health facility in North Hobart. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

Inside the centre, Chandler splashed the fuel around and yelled: “I’m going to kill you all and burn the place down”.

Justice Geason said the receptionist warned other people in the building, yelling at them to get out.

“She was very brave despite the fear and distress [Chandler's] actions caused,” he said.

The court heard Chandler was smoking a cigarette outside the Unions Tasmania office on Elizabeth St as he watched the Peacock Centre burn.

Chandler was arrested outside the Unions Tasmania office in Elizabeth St, North Hobart. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE.

Justice Geason said the 25 employees and a number of patients who were inside at the time of the fire were successfully evacuated.

The court heard Chandler told police he blamed the mental health system for ruining his life.

Chandler’s lawyer Rochelle Mainwaring said her client would not have committed the crime had it not been for his mental illness.

Ms Mainwaring said Chandler was “extremely unwell at the time of the crime and beyond”.

Firefighters at the Peacock Centre. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

Justice Geason said Chandler was a risk to the community and himself and ordered that he be detained at the Wilfred Lopes Centre. The order remains in place until the court discharges the order.

Justice Geason also sentenced Chandler to three and a half years’ jail, backdated to December 7, 2016, when he was first taken into custody, with a non-parole period of two years.

Since the fire, services provided at the Peacock Centre have been offered at the Clive Hamilton building at New Town.

Health Minister Michael Ferguson today said an architect had been chosen to manage the reconstruction of the Peacock Centre.

“They are working closely with experienced health facility planners to design a contemporary mental health facility,” Mr Ferguson said.

“The construction tender will be advertised next year, with building to be completed in 2020.”