Kingston man torched his Homes Tasmania unit in delusional state, leaving damage bill of $375,000

A Kingston man suffering from paranoid delusions has discovered his fate in court after torching his Homes Tasmania public housing unit, leaving a huge damage bill. What a judge decided.

The Kingston street where a Homes Tasmania unit was completely destroyed by arson. Picture: Matt Thompson

A man suffering from paranoid delusions, following a childhood marred by trauma, has avoided jail after torching his Homes Tasmania unit.

Jason Wade Harris, 42, pleaded guilty to arson after setting fire to his public housing Kingston unit in July last year with petrol and a cigarette lighter.

The unit was extensively damaged and ultimately demolished, with an estimated total damage of $375,000.

While sentencing, Supreme Court of Tasmania acting judge David Porter said Harris had become convinced that threats had been made against him, and told police he torched his home because he “had to”.

Acting Justice Porter said Harris had a history of prior offending, including for another arson back in 2002, and that he’d suffered trauma as a child and young person.

Harris also has a long history of mental health problems, and was diagnosed with a relapse of schizophrenia after the Kingston arson.

Forensic psychiatrist Michael Jordan said Harris had developed paranoid ideation in the weeks leading up to the arson – he was convinced listening devices had been placed in the walls of his unit.

On the morning of the arson, a person unexpectedly arrived with a parcel, which Harris thought looked like a bomb – and believed he and his nine-year-old son were in danger.

He immediately “worked on a strategy”, sending his son to his auntie’s house and setting fire to the unit.

Dr Jordan said Harris’ “increased level of paranoia” had been intensified by his use of the drug ice.

His mental health is currently being managed, with Harris given regular antipsychotic injections.

Acting Justice Porter noted that arson was a serious crime, with considerable risk to firefighters, and that in the current case, the unit was completely destroyed.

However, he said Harris was suffering from impaired mental functioning at the time.

Harris was convicted and sentenced to 18 months’ jail, which was suspended on condition he commit no offence punishable by imprisonment for two years.

He has also been sentenced to a two-year community correction order, and must undergo psychological, psychiatric and drug dependency assessment or treatment as required.

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