Just minutes before receiving yet another extended prison sentence, the arsonist known for lighting fires to intimidate, who ignited the residence of a well-known YouTuber, expressed his heartfelt apologies.
Jordan Shanks, more widely recognized as FriendlyJordies online, had been producing content about vibrant figures in Sydney when his Bondi home was targeted by arsonists in 2022.
The front verandah and door were destroyed, the bedroom and hallway damaged, and smoke damage occurred to the neighbour’s property.
Tauese-Auelua has not been accused of being an Alameddine gang member.
The 39-year-old pleaded guilty to destroying property by fire in company and reckless wounding in a separate for-hired attack in 2022.
In that matter, a man whose relationship with a property developer had broken down was set upon by Tauese-Auelua and others with baseball bats.
Judge McHugh jailed Tauese-Auelua for five years, noting the 39-year-old criminal history contained “lots of violence”.
“He’s being used as muscle for third parties to … harm others,” Judge McHugh said.
The judge found Tauese-Auelua had a significant level of insight into his conduct but noted he had poor prospects of rehabilitation.
He has been diagnosed with intermittent explosive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and antisocial personality disorder.
Defence barrister Alex Cassels described his client’s mental state as “a little boy in a very large body”.
With 15 months in custody already served, Tauese-Auelua will be eligible for parole in July 2027.
Prosecutors on Friday dropped the case against a second man charged over the 2022 arson attack due to insufficient evidence.
At a bail hearing in October 2023, Andre Stepanyan’s lawyer said there was nothing to show he was in the vehicle travelling to Shanks’ home.
