Clayton Mattice learned his sentence Monday afternoon for starting a $3 million dollar fire at Victoria School of Performing & Visual Arts back in 2007.
Mattice, 27-years-old, was sentenced to two years, less a day in jail but will only have to serve one year and five months. He was given double credit for the three months he spent at the Remand Centre. Mattice was also put on probation for three years.
For the first time Monday afternoon, Mattice's lawyer told the judge that his client wasn't the one responsible for the fire; that Mattice was with three other people that night and somebody else from the group started the blaze. Mattice's lawyer said all of them were high and drunk. No one else has been charged.
Mattice told court his intention was to break into the school and steal some computers. He said that somebody else started the fire but he pleaded guilty to the charge because he was them at the time and therefore responsible for the actions of the group.
"I have changed my life," Mattice told court. "I am sorry for what I did do."
As part of Mattice's sentence, he was given several conditions, including abstaining from alcohol or drugs as well as a life-long weapons ban. He was also ordered by the courts to pay a compensation of $35 thousand. The crown was asking for a sum of $800 thousand but the defence called that number "unrealistic".
Earlier this year, Mattice's aunt spoke with CTV News, saying her nephew suffers from fetal alcohol syndrome. Manaya Green-Adgey is happy Mattice will get the help he needs.
"I am grateful for the three years of probation because he does need that support," said Green-Adgey. "He is clean and sober now; he is stable."
With files from CTV's Bill Fortier
