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Arsonist pleads guilty after setting home ablaze with cup of flaming bullets

“Reckless” behaviour was admitted by a man who landed three years in after accidentally setting a family home on fire with a cup of flaming bullets. Carlisle Gambler pleaded guilty to arson in Athabasca Provincial Court Nov.

“Reckless” behaviour was admitted by a man who landed three years in after accidentally setting a family home on fire with a cup of flaming bullets.

Carlisle Gambler pleaded guilty to arson in Athabasca Provincial Court Nov. 6, and was sentenced to three years in prison and a lifetime ban on the possession of firearms or explosives.

Reading from an agreed statement of facts, Crown prosecutor Mark Facundo said that on Dec. 21, 2016, Gambler placed bullets inside of a cup, covered them in lighter fluid and then set them ablaze.

Defence lawyer Peter Keyes later added that Gambler had then placed the cup on a windowsill to deter intruders. The fire then spread and burned the home, causing first and third degree burns to a family member.

Gambler said at the time, he was concerned about intruders who would “possibly assassinate” him.

Keyes also said that Gambler has struggled with serious mental health issues. He added although the offence was severe, Gambler was not intentionally trying to burn the home.

“Although the gravity of the offense is not lessened … the moral responsibility of the defendant is somewhat lessened,” Keyes said.

Keyes also went into the Gambler’s background, telling the court that his mother was a residential school survivor. Gambler also spent a lot of time in foster care, Keyes said.

“Mr. Gambler advises at this point that he wants to get to a better place,” Keyes said. “He does take responsibility.”

The location of the home that was burned down was not disclosed in court proceedings. Keyes declined to comment on the location after the proceeding.

Judge Clifton Purvis agreed to a joint submission from the defence and Crown on Gambler’s sentence.

Purvis said that Gambler has a “horrific” criminal record, but his attempt to enter an early guilty plea and lessened criminal culpability were mitigating factors.

“I find it’s a reasonable submission,” Purvis said. “Were it not, I would have sentenced in excess of five years.”

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