A man awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to deliberately setting a unit on fire in Dubbo last year.
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Trevor James Keys, 43, pleaded guilty to damaging a property by fire by more than $15,000 in Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday.
Emergency services were called to a blaze at a unit block on Fitzroy Street in Dubbo, about 7.45pm on December 20.
The fire began after Keys forced entry into an unattended apartment, where a witness saw him carrying a white plastic bag with three bottles of methylated spirits and blue cleaning cloths.
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According to court documents, Keys opened one of the bottles of methylated spirits and threw the liquid around the bedroom.
The witnessed yelled at Keys saying, "What are you doing? No, you can't do that".
Keys opened another bottle of methylated spirits, poured some over the cloths and threw the rest around the kitchen, before telling the witness they "better leave quick".
The witness was pushed out the door before Keys lit a cloth on fire and threw it down on the methylated spirits, igniting the unit.
Court documents revealed Keys left the unit and walked upstairs where he stood on the verandah watching the witness and the fire.
The witness began knocking on neighbours' doors to try and evacuate them and one of the neighbours contacted emergency services.
When police arrived the witness told them what had occurred and pointed Keys out to them.
Keys was arrested and taken to Dubbo Police Station, where he participated in a forensic examination of swabs for flammable substances on his hands, a buccal swab and photographs.
The owner of the apartment told police they did not know Keys.
When emergency services arrived they evacuated the unit block, with the blaze causing extensive damage to the unit.
Despite the best efforts of firefighters, several surrounding units were damaged by water and smoke.
In December Keys initially pleaded not guilty to one count of breaking and entering a house causing damage, and not guilty to one count of damaging a property by fire.
The first count of break and enter a house and causing damage was dropped in court, and Keys pleaded guilty to to damaging a property by fire by more than $15,000 on Wednesday.
A sentencing assessment report was ordered and Keys will be sentenced in Dubbo Local Court on April 28.
Zaarkacha Marlan
Court and crime reporter at the Daily Liberal. Formerly the sole journalist for the Nyngan Observer, Narromine News and Trangie Advocate.
Court and crime reporter at the Daily Liberal. Formerly the sole journalist for the Nyngan Observer, Narromine News and Trangie Advocate.
