A 22-year-old man has narrowly avoided prison after attempting to set Australian Test cricket captain Tim Paine's car on fire.
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Jordan Michael Causon, who lives between Hobart and the North-West, faced the Burnie Supreme Court on Thursday where he was sentenced for attempting to set a car on fire, successfully setting another car on fire, burglary, stealing, fraud and stealing a car.
The court heard Causon had been prowling the streets of Hobart in the early hours of March 31, 2020, along with two friends and his then partner.
"It is obvious you were looking for vehicles to break into," Justice Michael Brett said.
Causon stumbled on his first vehicle, belonging to Mr Paine, which he found unlocked and parked on the street in front of the owner's house.
The court heard he took Mr Paine's wallet, used his debit card to spend $127.68, took other property worth $900, and then unsuccessfully tried to set the car on fire.
"Actually looking at my account, the boys went straight to Maccas - the boys must have been hungry," Mr Paine told Cricket Australia that very morning, according to cricket.com.au
Causon, on that same night, discovered another unlocked car parked on the street in West Hobart, this time with the keys still in the ignition.
"You then stole the vehicle and drove it to the residence of one of your party, and set it alight," Justice Brett reminded Causon.
The court heard the car and its contents were completely destroyed, totalling more than $14,000 of damage.
"You started life in difficult circumstances," Justice Brett told Causon.
He said Causon had been placed in the care of his grandparents at a young age, suffered from ADHD and was currently receiving disability support payments.
"You've faced considerable tragedy with the death of your mother eight years ago and the death of your older brother in a motorbike accident," he said.
"You and your former partner have a daughter and you share custody."
Justice Brett described Causon's "poor" criminal history, explaining that he racked up numerous offences of a similar nature, but noted that he had not reoffended since his last sentence earlier this year.
"It is testament to your claimed intention to rehabilitate," he said.
"There should be an emphasis on rehabilitation in this case, particularly considering your young age. This is a critical time for you, what you choose to do now will determine the course of your life.
"You owe it to yourself, your family and your daughter."
He sentenced Causon to eight months in prison, wholly suspended for a period of 30 months.