Jodie Pike sentenced to jail time for starting fire that destroyed Meni Cafe

Jodie Brian Pike, 48, fronted Wollongong Local Court last week where he was given a 12-month term of imprisonment with a non-parole period of six months.

Due to time served, the Mangerton man was released from prison on Wednesday.

Read more: Warrant issued for Mangerton man convicted of recklessly wounding partner

Emergency services were called to Meni Cafe on Crown Street, Wollongong about 4am on July 15.

When fire crews arrived, the eastern wall of the cafe's building and roof cavity were well alight and it took firefighters some time to bring the blaze under control before it was eventually extinguished.

Very blustery and strong winds hampered attempts to control and extinguish this fire.

Firefighters examined the scene, determining the fire started in several domestic waste bins close to the external wall of the cafe.

Police viewed CCTV and found Pike was in the are at the time.

Agreed facts tendered to court said Pike bought a packet of cigarettes, one box of matches and one yellow lighter from 7-Eleven service station on Crown Street about 2.30am on July 15.

CCTV then shows Pike, who was alone, walk down a driveway to a secluded alcove between the Meni Cafe building and the adjacent premises.

Pike is seen lighting a fire at the base of a temporary mesh fence. He used a lighter and other material believed to be paper and cardboard from nearby bins.

The windy conditions blew the fire embers into the direction of the cafe.

Pike emptied the contents of the bin to further ignite the fire, and used more cardboard, fanning the fire.

The fire took hold of the fence and lit the wall, resulting in extensive fire damage to the property.

Pike left the area about 3.45am and made no attempt to extinguish the fire or seek help from someone to call the fire brigade.

Pike was arrested the next day and told police "I lit a cigarette and fell asleep" while also making reference to lighting a lot of fires.

He was later charged with destroying property by using fire.

In court, Pike's lawyer Emma Harrison said her client's actions were "reckless" but were not planned and he suffered from serious mental health conditions.

Magistrate Susan McGowan convicted Pike on three charges, including two counts of contravening an apprehended domestic violence order which were unrelated to the fire charge.

She also noted Pike's criminal history was "not the worst" she had seen.

"Clearly Mr Pike has been dogged by mental health issues for quite some time," Magistrate McGowan said.

"You have to take your medication."

Pike was sentenced to a community corrections order for 18 months for the domestic violence charges, where he will be supervised by community corrections and must not commit any further offences.

Meni Cafe did not reopen in the Crown Street building and has since reopened in Corrimal Street, Wollongong.

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