A man who lit a North Adelaide fire that caused $5 million of damage because he was bored has been sentenced to five years in jail.
Peter Kingsley said his son’s actions left him horrified.
“Had it been during the day, he probably would have killed hundreds of people,” Kingsley said outside court today.
He said his son was lucky not to have been slapped with a more severe penalty.
“He’s been treated very fairly … and he’s been a very lucky boy with that judge,” Kingsley said.
“I thought he’d get at least another four years.”
The court heard Adams, who lives with physical and cognitive impairments from a stroke, was frustrated by guardianship over his finances which left him with no money for cigarettes.
Adams lit the fire in the underground carpark because he wanted excitement, the court heard.
He then watched as it spread and portrayed himself as a witness.
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His mother, Jennifer Adams, said the situation was “very sad”.
“You know, I never thought that he would do something like this,” she said outside court.
In sentencing, Judge Emily Telfer said she accepted Adams lit the fire simply because he was bored and that it turned out to be a far bigger fire than he intended.
His elderly parents said they did everything they could to raise him well and they had little sympathy.
“He had everything he wanted, including money from us and he just abused it,” Kingsley said.
“(He) ruined his life and he’s just buggered himself up.”
Adams can apply for parole in May.
