A FATHER and son found guilty of lighting a fire that destroyed the Junction Hotel in Ravenswood will spend at least two years behind bars.
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Jozef Jansen, 65, and Remco Jansen, 42, were sentenced in the County Court in Melbourne on Friday after a jury found them guilty of arson for gain.
Jozef Jansen, who still owns the property, was also found guilty of obtaining property by deception after he falsely claimed more than $358,000 from the Australian Pensioners Insurance Agency after the fire.
The Junction Hotel was gutted by fire on June 9, 2014, just three days after its sale fell through.
The buyer withdrew after discovering a VicRoads overlay on the property. The Jansens’ mortgage on the property was more than $128,700 in arrears.
Jozef Jansen and his wife booked to stay in a motel in Moama on the night of the fire, while communicating with Remco Jansen by phone in the hours leading up to the blaze, and the hours after.
The couple took their dog to Moama with them along with two sentimental items – a large photograph of their deceased son, and an antique clock.
These items were crucial pieces of evidence during the trial in Bendigo in September, as police convinced a jury that they had been removed from the house before the fire.
Mobile phone records also indicated Remco Jansen may have been in the Ravenswood area at the time of the fire.
Remco Jansen lived in Kangaroo Flat at the time.
Two arson chemists – one from APIA, and one from Victoria Police – could not agree on how the fire started, but both agreed it originated in the office of the building.
Judge Jane Patrick said she believed the fire was caused by powerboards.
In sentencing, Judge Patrick said it was clear the Jozef Jansen was the lead offender and had planned the fire himself, while Remco Jansen acted on his plans.
“You clearly were the person who stood to directly benefit from the fire,” she said.
“Whilst I am also satisfied that Remco Jansen played an active role in causing the fire, you were the person who had the capacity and wherewithal to plan the fire and then make the claim on the insurance company.”
Both men relocated to Old Bar on the New South Wales mid-north coast in the aftermath of the fire. Their new residence was raided by police, who seized the missing sentimental items and conducted interviews.
Detectives also monitored phone calls between the pair, whose evidence differed as the investigation continued.
Jozef Jansen has suffered heart disease and other medical conditions, which Judge Patrick conceded would make his time in custody more difficult.
He is also a carer for his ill wife.
Judge Patrick said the charge of arson for gain is rare in Victoria given the difficulties in detecting the crime.
“Given the potential risk and the extent of the damage caused, and the planning and deliberate nature of this offending, I consider this offending to be towards the mid-range of the offence of arson for gain,” she said.
“As it is clear from this case, such offending can be difficult to detect.
“This offence arose out of particular circumstances to do with your economic circumstances.”
The police investigation also uncovered cannabis trafficking by Remco Jansen, a charge he pleaded guilty to. Police found more than $6000 worth of cannabis at his Kangaroo Flat residence.
Remco Jansen was convicted and jailed for three years and six months, with a non-parole period of two years. He has served 64 days in custody.
Jozef Jansen was convicted and jailed for four years, with two years non-parole. He has served 24 days in custody.
He was also ordered to pay $358,006 in compensation to APIA.