This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/north_east/5318864.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Backpacker hostel fire man jailed | Backpacker hostel fire man jailed |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A man who started a fire at a hostel in Australia in which a Scottish backpacker died has been sentenced to nine years in prison. | A man who started a fire at a hostel in Australia in which a Scottish backpacker died has been sentenced to nine years in prison. |
| Tony McLennan, 36, from New Zealand, set a fire under a staircase in the hostel in Tasmania on Hogmanay 2004. | Tony McLennan, 36, from New Zealand, set a fire under a staircase in the hostel in Tasmania on Hogmanay 2004. |
| Calum Melville, 21, from Mossat in Aberdeenshire, died in the blaze. | Calum Melville, 21, from Mossat in Aberdeenshire, died in the blaze. |
| McLennan, who worked at the hostel, was found guilty of manslaughter and arson. He will become eligible for parole after six years. | McLennan, who worked at the hostel, was found guilty of manslaughter and arson. He will become eligible for parole after six years. |
| Last month, a jury at Launceston Criminal Court heard that the fire happened at the Metro Backpackers Hostel on New Year's Eve in 2004. | Last month, a jury at Launceston Criminal Court heard that the fire happened at the Metro Backpackers Hostel on New Year's Eve in 2004. |
| It wouldn't matter how long it was, it's not going to bring Calum back Robert MelvilleCalum's father | |
| Mr Melville's body was found on the second floor of the hostel. | Mr Melville's body was found on the second floor of the hostel. |
| Six others were injured in the blaze. | Six others were injured in the blaze. |
| The court heard how McLennan, who was addicted to poker machines, had stolen money from the hostel safe and had started the fire to destroy evidence of his theft. He denied the claim. | |
| Calum's father Robert said justice had been done. | |
| He told BBC Radio Good Morning Scotland programme: "I'm sure the judge gave the subject tremendous deliberation and thought and whatever he's decided to hand down is perfectly alright by me. | |
| "It wouldn't matter how long it was, it's not going to bring Calum back." |