A Dubbo man who threw two Molotov cocktails at a car during a family dispute, has apologised for his "unusual behaviour".
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Jordan Chatfield, 24, told Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday from inside prison he was "ashamed" with his actions, and apologised for his "unusual behaviour" his family experienced and victims endured.
"I can't blame anyone but myself," he read out.
"I appreciate showing you I'm not the idiot you may think I am. I am career driven, work and family orientated.
"I'm willing to do multiple orders of any sorts to get out of jail."
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Chatfield had been on conditional bail under a curfew between 9pm and 6am when he punched a man at the South Dubbo Tavern at 10pm on March 26.
He and his friend were having drinks in the outdoor area when he approached another woman at a table and became aggressive toward a male seated beside her.
Chatfield's friend tried to remove him, when he approached the other side of the table and punched the unknown male in the head.
The next day police attended and viewed CCTV footage which depicted the incident. Chatfield was arrested 10 days later and denied punching the male, claiming he slapped him and "considered it to be a joke".
A couple of months later in May, according to police a family feud had been simmering due to a bitter relationship breakdown.
In court documents, Chatfield's sister had rung him after her partner's car tyres were slashed out the front of her house, on May 2 this year.
Chatfield was driving a white Holden commodore sedan when he parked out the front of a home on Spence Street and yelled "you want to play games c---ts, let's play games".
He then threw two Molotov cocktails at a vehicle which was parked out the front of the home. One of the bottles exploded and the outside of the vehicle was engulfed by fire.
The other bottle didn't smash, but landed on the grass out the front of the property, before Chatfield sped off.
Residents and neighbours extinguished the blaze with their garden hoses, when police arrived and investigated.
In court documents, police attempted to located Chatfield without success, with his family persuading him to hand himself in, but told them he didn't want to go to jail.
Six days later, Chatfield was arrested and couldn't explain why his DNA or fingerprints were on the unexploded Molotov cocktail.
In court, supported by his mother and sisters, Chatfield pleaded guilty to damaging property by fire and affray.
Defence lawyer Jacklyn Dougan-Jones said Chatfield had issues with drug and alcohol abuse, and had been intoxicated at the time of the offence.
The court heard Chatfield had completed an 11-month stint at Adele House for drug and alcohol rehabilitation in 2018.
Ms Dugan-Jones argued the affray was not a serious example of the charge as it was a single hit to a person he knew, and said while the fire posed a significant danger it was fortunate nobody was nearby, and there was no damage.
She said it was Chatfield's first time in custody, and it had been "extremely difficult" for him.
Chatfield told the court during his time in custody he had experienced "daunting" conditions and had witnessed "multiple bashings and stabbing each and every day".
"My time in custody is a learning curve for my behaviour, and encouraged me to keep on the straight and narrow," he read out.
"It's not something I wish upon anyone."
Police prosecutor, Sergeant Michelle Bartlett however argued the two offences were made even more serious as Chatfield had been granted conditional bail for another separate matter when the incidents occurred.
"Obviously his behaviour is escalating," she said.
Sergeant Bartlett believed the affray was serious, as it was "one hit in a public place".
"One hit can be very serious and we've seen that in the past that one hit can be in fact fatal," she said.
Magistrate Gary Wilson took into account what Chatfield read out and the letters he received from his mother, sisters and family friend who he said "held him in very good stead".
However believed the seriousness of the offences couldn't be ignored, particularly the planning behind the Molotov cocktails.
"The planning and contemplation you took into account was obviously totally excessive as to what had occurred," Magistrate Wilson said.
Given his early plea of guilt, Magistrate Wilson also accepted special circumstances due to his background and problems he'd experienced throughout life.
Chatfield was convicted and sentenced to a 12-month term of imprisonment, with a five month non-parole period. He was also ordered to abstain from drugs and alcohol and required to undergo drug and alcohol counselling.
He will be eligible for release in October.