ACT Arsonist Receives Partially Suspended Jail Sentence for Assault and Arson

Hannah Neale, a journalist, reports on a disturbing case of arson and assault committed by Jett Black, a 28-year-old man with a history of intellectual disability and entrenched drug addiction. Black was involved in multiple incidents of violence, including an attack on an intellectually disabled man that left him with a broken nose, and a riot at the Alexander Maconochie Centre, causing $1.6 million worth of damage. Despite the severity of his crimes, Black received a partially suspended jail sentence, which was backdated to take into account the 190 days he had already spent behind bars.

Key Takeaways:

• Jett Black, 28, was sentenced to a partially suspended nearly four-year jail term for joint commission arson, property damage, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and assaulting a frontline community service provider.
• In August 2023, Black and co-offenders attacked an intellectually disabled man outside an apartment complex in Gungahlin, leaving him with a broken nose that required surgery and cuts and other injuries.
• The victim suffered a broken nose, requiring surgery, as well as cuts and other injuries to his body.
• In May 2025, Justice Louise Taylor described Black as the leader of the "act of grotesque and gratuitous violence".
• While being arrested, Black clawed the face of a police officer, causing scratches and blurred vision in one eye.
• In November 2020, Black was involved in a riot at the Alexander Maconochie Centre, causing $1.6 million worth of damage to the north wing remand unit.
• The riot broke out amid tensions about COVID-19 restrictions.
• Black had started drinking alcohol at the age of 11 and later moved on to methamphetamine at 13.
• The judge found that Black had led a pro-social life due to his efforts in reform and that returning to jail would inhibit his potential for rehabilitation.

Statistics:

• $1.6 million worth of damage was caused by Black's involvement in the riot at the Alexander Maconochie Centre.
• 190 days: The number of days Black spent behind bars before being granted bail.
• 11 years old: The age at which Black started drinking alcohol.
• 13 years old: The age at which Black started using methamphetamine.

Sources:

• unnamed judge's ruling, as reported by Hannah Neale
• unnamed police officer, eyewitness account