Schizophrenic Broome woman fined $2000 for starting car fire on Port Drive

A schizophrenic Broome woman has been fined $2000 for spraying an aerosol can into the exhaust pipe of a vehicle, causing it to catch fire and burn until it was completely destroyed. Wanan Ruth Tarran appeared in Broome Magistrates Court on Monday October 18 and was fined $2000 after pleading guilty to criminal damage. The court was told on August 14, police sighted Tarran near the boat ramp on Port Drive, when she lit a match and sprayed an aerosol can into the exhaust pipe of a Kia Rio. It was heard minutes later, a small fire started and smoke began to rise from the fuel tank, followed by smouldering fumes. The court was told the car then completely caught on fire and burned until it was destroyed, resulting in estimated damages of about $2000 to $2500. It was heard Tarran was standing with the owners of the vehicle at the time the offence took place and there had not been a falling out or disagreement between them. Police prosecutor Phil Milne said police were lucky they had time to remove people from the vicinity before the vehicle caught on fire. Defence lawyer Paul Tobin told the court Tarran was a diagnosed schizophrenic and had a “treatment resistant diagnosis.” The court was told Tarran suffered from hallucinations, delusional beliefs, cognitive impairment and had heightened sensitivity and impulsivity. Mr Tobin said there was haziness regarding whether Tarran was subject to hallucinations or under the influence of her diagnosis at the time the offence was committed. “It is unclear whether she was suffering a severe schizophrenic episode,” he said. “Her diagnosis is ongoing and strains her family relationships.” Mr Tobin told the court Tarran had a three-tiered support network, including Helping Minds, Kimberley Mental Health and Drug Service and Centacare Kimberley. “She has the most support she has ever had at the moment,” he said. The court was told Tarran was on new medication and trying injections which could help her condition. Magistrate Stephen Sharratt told the court the maximum penalty for the offence was three years imprisonment and a $36,000 fine. “She ignited a spray can to a petrol tank, which is a dangerous act not only to herself but to others,” he said. “The vehicle was completely destroyed in the end.” Magistrate Sharratt said Tarran’s mental health diagnosis was the biggest feature in the case. “It is a serious psychiatric illness which reduces the moral capability of the offender, an intensive supervision order is what you would expect but she simply cannot comply with conditions,” he said. “She is not a suitable vehicle for general deterrents.” Magistrate Sharratt said in Tarran’s circumstance, the punishment of a fine was “oddly appropriate.” Tarran was fined $2000 as Magistrate Sharratt said any other form of punishment would not be suitable.