Michael Boyd Jumburra: Kimberley man jailed for two years, eight months for setting ex-partner’s house on fire

A Kimberley man with a history of domestic violence has been sentenced to two years and eight months jail for setting his former partner’s house on fire. Michael Boyd Jumburra appeared before Broome District Court on January 30 for sentencing after pleading guilty to one count of criminal damage by fire. The court was told the 40-year-old man was involved in a family violence incident with his partner earlier that day and left her house in Broome before returning later that night to steal the fuse from the fuse box. Jumburra’s partner was left in darkness for two hours before he returned with the fuse, sparking another argument and asking her “how would you like it if I burned your house down?” Moments later, Jumburra’s partner went to investigate a popping noise and found three fires lit around the premises — on the kitchen floor, on a mattress outside and another outside in front of the house. The victim quickly left the house and a neighbour, who heard the commotion, managed to extinguish the fire using a hose while the fire brigade was called. Police investigators later found multiple piles of leaves and dried grass inside and outside the house intended to be lit, including inside the kitchen pantry. It was revealed that Jumburra had a history of domestic violence against his partner and had been convicted for offences such as damage to property and assault. District Court judge Vicki Stewart said while his criminal history was not an aggravation to his sentence, imprisonment was the only appropriate punishment. “I have to protect the public and, in this case, a vulnerable woman, your partner, from this type of offending,” she said. “I have to punish you for what took place. I have to deter you from ever embarking on such an activity in the future.” Judge Stewart sentenced Jumburra to two years and eight months in jail, making him eligible for parole after serving half his sentence backdated to July 1, 2023.