As he sentenced 70-year-old Steve Nassif on Friday, the judge said there was little doubt those neighbouring the burning property “would have been terrified”.
A property developer who burnt down a $24 million mansion on Sydney’s lower north shore has been jailed for at least 16 months by a judge who said the suburban blaze presented a very real danger to lives and other homes.to damaging a property belonging to another person by fire, after the heritage-listed home at 62 Cliff Road in Northwood went up in flames.The property, which boasted a tennis court and water frontage, was bought 10 months earlier for $24.
Upon arrival at 62 Cliff Road, Bett got out of the vehicle, entered the home through the front door and lit the fire.At about 10.42pm, a bright glow was seen emanating from the property. Bett ran and was collected by Nassif. He jailed Nassif for a maximum of two years and seven months, with a non-parole period of one year and four months. Nassif, who was seated in the public gallery with his family, was taken into custody.The judge said it was a “tragedy” to send a man of Nassif’s age with an “unblemished character” to jail, but the seriousness of the crime provided no alternative.
The judge said Nassif and Bett backed out on their first arson attempt in August 2022, and had the opportunity “to reflect on what they were going to do ... and to take a different path”.In arguing against full-time jail for Nassif, barrister Anthony Strik had raised his client’s age and mental state and said Nassif had reported “memory concerns” to a psychologist.
The judge said Bett, who had a “very difficult upbringing”, was remorseful and had good prospects of rehabilitation. He jailed Bett for two years and three months with a non-parole period of one year, eight months and seven days.
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