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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| Callum Melville, 21, from Mossat in Aberdeenshire, died in the blaze. | Callum Melville, 21, from Mossat in Aberdeenshire, died in the blaze. |
| McLennan, who worked at the hostel, was found guilty of manslaughter and arson. Mr Melville's father Robert said justice had been done. | McLennan, who worked at the hostel, was found guilty of manslaughter and arson. Mr Melville's father Robert said justice had been done. |
| It wouldn't matter how long it was, it's not going to bring Callum back Robert MelvilleCallum's father | It wouldn't matter how long it was, it's not going to bring Callum back Robert MelvilleCallum's father |
| 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| McLennan will become eligible for parole after six years. | McLennan will become eligible for parole after six years. |
| 'Another step' | |
| Mr Melville's father told BBC Scotland: "I have got complete confidence in the Tasmanian court. | Mr Melville's father told BBC Scotland: "I have got complete confidence in the Tasmanian court. |
| "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. | "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 Callum back. | "It wouldn't matter how long it was, it's not going to bring Callum back. |
| "I was very, very impressed by everything that was done there. | "I was very, very impressed by everything that was done there. |
| "It's another step and we are just all relieved that this part is behind us now." | "It's another step and we are just all relieved that this part is behind us now." |