Due to an arson attack on a $24 million, heritage-listed property that was constructed more than a century ago, one man has been imprisoned and another is eligible for release.
Amidst the fire, Steve Nassif, 70, and Adams Kipkosgei Bett, 21, were accused of destroying property together with fire.
While Bett is eligible for release after being detained pending sentencing since both men were arrested in December 2022, Nassif was sentenced to prison until at least December 2025.
In September of that year, the vacant Cliff Road house at Northwood on Sydney’s lower north shore suffered irreversible damage before the fire was swiftly put out.
Judge Grant Brady of District Court stated today that the damage could have been substantially worse if not for the swift efforts of nearby residents and the police’ timely response.
“The fire, lit in the way that it was, with absolutely no indication there were any limitations on how the fire would spread, posed a very real danger,” he stated.
Apart from endangering individuals and properties, the fire also took away a heritage-listed home from the public.
“Although reasonable minds might differ about whether a property should be a heritage-listed property or not, that is not to the point,” the court stated.
“It was of substantial value and a substantial loss.” .
This 4800 square meter, six-bedroom house was advertised as a “absolute waterfront estate on a double allotment” near “some of the most exclusive private schools” before it was sold to the neighbours in 2021, marking the first sale in 60 years.
The 1915-built federation bungalow known as “Tallawalla” sold for $24.1 million, more than doubling a suburb record established earlier in the year and surpassing its 1961 sale price of £16,500.
Mary Rossi, who was one of the first female hosts on Australian television, lived there until her death in June 2021 at the age of 95.
Because it is among the oldest homes in the neighbourhood, the house has historical significance and was formerly included on the state heritage inventory.
In February, a request to demolish the burned-out house was turned down.
The owner denied any involvement in the fire, and their involvement was not brought before the court for a decision.
There has been no claim for the damage, and the house was not insured.
In the end, Judge Brady was unable to ascertain a reason why either of the individuals imprisoned today were involved in the fire.
He added that after abandoning an early effort to set fire to the house, they later went back to finish the intended arson instead of pausing to think things through and choosing an alternative course.
According to him, both guys regretted it, had no prior criminal records, strong chances of rehabilitation, and compelling personal and unique circumstances.
Bett was raised in a terrible environment after seeing a man in Kenya be publicly burned alive when he was a young boy.
His one year, eight months, and seven day non-parole period ends on Monday, making him eligible for release.
The last day of his sentence is March 2025.
Because of his advanced age and health problems, Nassif will spend a long time in detention.
Judge Brady acknowledged that it was tragic to commit an elderly man to prison who most certainly suffers from a debilitating illness, but there was no other option given the objective nature of the case. Nassif was imprisoned for two years and seven months, with a year and four month non-parole sentence.
Prior to the end of his term in March 2027, he will be eligible for parole at the end of 2025. Men imprisoned for igniting a $24 million heritage Sydney mansion.
Due to an arson attack on a $24 million, heritage-listed property that was constructed more than a century ago, one man has been imprisoned and another is eligible for release.
Amidst the fire, Steve Nassif, 70, and Adams Kipkosgei Bett, 21, were accused of destroying property together with fire.
While Bett is eligible for release after being detained pending sentencing since both men were arrested in December 2022, Nassif was sentenced to prison until at least December 2025.
In September of that year, the vacant Cliff Road house at Northwood on Sydney’s lower north shore suffered irreversible damage before the fire was swiftly put out.
Judge Grant Brady of District Court stated today that the damage could have been substantially worse if not for the swift efforts of nearby residents and the police’ timely response.
“The fire, lit in the way that it was, with absolutely no indication there were any limitations on how the fire would spread, posed a very real danger,” he stated.
Apart from endangering individuals and properties, the fire also took away a heritage-listed home from the public.
“Although reasonable minds might differ about whether a property should be a heritage-listed property or not, that is not to the point,” the court stated.
“It was of substantial value and a substantial loss.”
This 4800 square meter, six-bedroom house was advertised as a “absolute waterfront estate on a double allotment” near “some of the most exclusive private schools” before it was sold to the neighbours in 2021, marking the first sale in 60 years.
The 1915-built federation bungalow known as “Tallawalla” sold for $24.1 million, more than doubling a suburb record established earlier in the year and surpassing its 1961 sale price of £16,500.
Mary Rossi, who was one of the first female hosts on Australian television, lived there until her death in June 2021 at the age of 95.
Because it is among the oldest homes in the neighbourhood, the house has historical significance and was formerly included on the state heritage inventory.
In February, a request to demolish the burned-out house was turned down.
The owner denied any involvement in the fire, and their involvement was not brought before the court for a decision.
There has been no claim for the damage, and the house was not insured. In the end, Judge Brady was unable to ascertain a reason why either of the individuals imprisoned today were involved in the fire.
He added that after abandoning an early effort to set fire to the house, they later went back to finish the intended arson instead of pausing to think things through and choosing an alternative course.
According to him, both guys regretted it, had no prior criminal records, strong chances of rehabilitation, and compelling personal and unique circumstances.
Bett was raised in a terrible environment after seeing a man in Kenya be publicly burned alive when he was a young boy. His one year, eight months, and seven day non-parole period ends on Monday, making him eligible for release.
The last day of his sentence is March 2025.
Because of his advanced age and health problems, Nassif will spend a long time in detention.
Judge Brady acknowledged that it was tragic to commit an elderly man to prison who most certainly suffers from a debilitating illness, but there was no other option given the objective nature of the case.
Nassif was imprisoned for two years and seven months, with a year and four month non-parole sentence. Prior to the end of his term in March 2027, he will be eligible for parole at the end of 2025.
