Four years behind bars for Nanaimo man convicted of setting his mother’s apartment on fire

“This was a deliberate and dangerous action, directed at his elderly mother who had cared for him for many years and who he was living with at the time putting her in great danger had she been in the apartment, and destroyed all of her personal belongings.”

Prior to the fire, Chant removed some of his own items from the unit, while he had a documented history of assaulting and threatening to kill his mother.

Chant was handed 18 months probation for the crimes against his mother which occurred at their apartment.

While she not at home at the time of the fire, judge Saunders said Chant declared he hated his neighbours in the apartment building, and the fire was meant to be avenge them.

A psychological assessment of Chant found him to be of average intelligence with no major conditions. It also declared him to have an “increased risk for angry reactivity and general unpredictable and problematic behaviour.”

It also said Chant “could deteriorate rapidly in stress-inducing circumstances. Using cannabis and being exposed to potential triggers inclusive to…interactions with his mother.”

Court heard Chant was a daily marijuana user and suffered from bouts of paranoia and poor eating habits prior to the fire being set. He also had a history of drinking since he was 10 or 11-years-old.

“I think there are very good programs in the…penitentiary that are going to give you all the help that you need,” Saunders told Chant. “The most important thing I would suggest with my reading of this with my many, many years on the job is that it’s the marijuana, I’m convinced of it.”

Crown prosecutor Nick Barber expressed concerns about Chant’s lack of progression during his time in prison, such as not seeking substance use treatment.

Chant briefly spoke in court, telling the judge he’s started to take steps to apply for community funding to help with his transition upon his release.

“I wish that there was more to say. I’m trying to get on income assistance and get my file opening, using community resources to find a place to stay. I’m open to make any connection with my mom, and I’m ok with accepting responsibility for the charges and everything.”

He added he was unsure about where he would go following his release.

Defence counsel Cheyne Hodson said problems in his childhood, including his parents separating when he was young, dropping out of high school a few years before graduation, and a diagnosis of ADHD made life difficult for him.

“He’s described by the writer (of the psychological report) as being an immature and conflicted man, with a low tolerance for stress and frustrations. The writer says he has formed the opinion that his thinking was susceptible to feelings of persecution…, anger and paranoid ideation.”

Chant’s mother was in the courtroom for the proceedings, and although they won’t be initially living together after release, they both expressed interest in mending their relationship.

While Chant wasn’t given any probation after his sentence or made to pay a victim fine surcharge, he will have a lifetime ban on owning or possessing firearms.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordandHeyNow

by Jordan Davidson

Four years behind bars for Nanaimo man convicted of setting his mother’s apartment on fire

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