REGINA – A man who started a house fire last year while people were inside learned his fate in Regina Provincial Court this morning.
While originally charged under arson with disregard for human life, Skylar Redstar, 38, pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of arson with damage to property.
The matter was destined for Court of King’s Bench with a preliminary hearing set last month, but circumstances surrounding Redstar’s health prompted the case to appear before the Provincial Court instead. The accused appeared by video from Saskatchewan Hospital in North Battleford.
Court heard that the charge stemmed from an incident on March 12, 2022 when police and the Regina Fire Department responded to a house fire on the 1000 block of Retallack Street just before 6 p.m. Nobody was in the home at the time, but when crews arrived, the rear end of the house was engulfed. The blaze did not reach the inside of the home, but in order to secure the scene, firefighters needed to knock the back wall down, which SGI estimated at about $100,000 in damages.
Court heard that Redstar had been staying at the residence with relatives and was the person who started the fire, apparently after an argument. There were two people in the home when the fire started, and they soon discovered a shovel was threatening to block exit from the front door. The occupants were able to push the door open and flee the house.
About an hour later, Redstar was arrested at the Regina Airport on an unrelated matter. Witnesses noted Redstar as “acting in a way that was bizarre,” hence the call to police. While responding officer called in that arrest, the connection was made with Redstar being a suspect in the fire.
Defence council noted Redstar’s mental health issues and how he is doing better on medication and the care he currently receives. Court also heard about his upbringing and struggles with addiction issues that began as a youth.
In a joint submission, Judge James Rybchuk was presented with a suggestion of three years, nine months incarceration with a three-year probation following Redstar’s release. Given credit for actual days in remand, Redstar would effectively be sentenced to two years less a day in custody.
Judge Rybchuk referred to the events of the fire - especially the effort to block the front door with a shovel - as “disturbing facts” while handing down the sentence. He noted Redstar’s criminal record, which listed many offences since 2000 that included weapons and violence, but no prior arsons. In fact, Redstar is close to dangerous offender status, as Judge Rybchuk commented, “you’re not there yet, but near it.”
In his sentencing, Judge Rybchuk agreed with the proposed joint submission, waiving the Victim Fine Surcharge. A no-contact order was also part of conditions in the three-year probation upon Redstar’s release.
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