Brody-Kane Isenhood: Father says admits lighting Mandurah scrub fire out of ‘impulse’ because he was ‘drunk’

A young father accused of starting a Mandurah scrub fire on Christmas Day has admitted he lit the fire out of “impulse” because he was “drunk”. Brody-Kane Isenhood, 26, faced Perth Magistrates Court on Friday charged with wilfully lighting or causing a fire likely to injure or damage. The court was told Mr Isenhood allegedly used a lighter to light two patches of grass and foliage at Lavender Gardens Reserve, Halls Head, about 10pm on Wednesday after getting drunk and walking away from a nearby Christmas party. After lighting the fires, the Heathridge local allegedly walked away and made no efforts to extinguish the blaze. WA Police and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services arrived at the scene shortly after and extinguished the blaze before it could spread to nearby homes. The fire destroyed up to 50sqm of bushland and foliage. Mr Isenhood was arrested the next day where he made a “full admission” and said he lit both fires out of “impulse . . . because I was drunk”. The police prosecutor said Mr Isenhood was a “serious risk to the public” and that the alleged offence — which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment — was “too serious for bail”. But Mr Isenhood’s lawyer said her client had a “very limited record” and had already cooperated with police. She also said he suffered from ADHD, anxiety, depression and PTSD after going through the foster care system as a child. “A term of imprisonment isn’t necessarily inevitable,” she said. The 26-year-old father is in a de facto relationship and financially supports his baby daughter through Centrelink payments. He is also facing a stealing charge after allegedly stealing an item from Bunnings in November. Magistrate Melissa McEwen said Mr Isenhood was a “strong risk to the public and community”. Mr Isenhood was refused bail but will front court again on January 10 following a detention assessment.