GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR, NL – A man convicted of three counts of arson regarding a series of incidents in Milltown-Head of Bay d’Espoir was sentenced in provincial court Jan. 18.
Donald MacHaight, 49, of Morrisville set fire to the town hall, school and RCMP detachment in the community a year ago. A sentence of four years, minus time served, was handed down, which leaves MacHaight with 911 days to serve in custody, or about two and a half years. He is also subject to a DNA order.
Crown prosecutor Karen O’Reilly said a request for restitution for the destruction of the RCMP building was made but Judge Robin Fowler declined, saying the sum – in the realm of $1.5 million – would amount to cruel and unusual punishment, taking into account MacHaight’s circumstances and mental state.
The accused himself filed a 25-page letter with the courts, explaining his difficult history. He was ordered to pay $200 of victim surcharges for each count, totalling $600.
The Crown has 30 days to decide if it is going to appeal the decision.
