Jamain Grant: Father of four pleads guilty to Mid West arson charges, bail granted on strict conditions

A father in custody for almost a year has been granted strict home detention bail, after pleading guilty to setting multiple roadside fires in the Mid West and threatening his young son. Police told Geraldton Magistrates Court that Jamain Grant lit fires in Arrowsmith in the Shire of Irwin last December, as well as along Geraldton-Mt Magnet Road in Wicherina, Ambania, Tenindewa, Mullewa and Devils Creek. The court was told more than 2300ha of land was in flames after Grant threw burning rags out of his car window, eventually stopping when his car broke down. The court was also previously told that when confronted by Mullewa police, Grant grabbed his son while holding a pair of scissors and made a stabbing motion, and yelled: “Come any closer and I’ll stab him.” Grant upon arrest was charged with 12 counts of wilfully lighting a fire likely to injure or damage, as well as one charge of threatening to kill in circumstances of aggravation. Jamain Grant appeared in Geraldton Magistrates Court on Friday seeking bail, with the court told he had been in custody for more than 11 months. After having six of the arson charges dismissed and the threaten to kill charge amended to an aggravated threat to injure, Grant pleaded guilty to six charges relating to lighting fires, and the amended aggravated threat charge. Grant was also granted bail, with Magistrate Matthew Walton awarding it on “rigorous and strict” conditions. The 26-year-old is to reside at his sister’s address in Karratha, and must abide by the direction of community correction officers. Grant is set to be on home detention, with electronic monitoring equipment, and was not to use illicit substances or non-prescribed medication. He must also present for urinalysis testing as directed. Grant was barred from contacting, trying to contact, or being within 50m of his four children. He was due back in court on May 5 in the District Court.