A jealous man who can't accept his relationship is over torched his ex-girlfriend's Wodonga home, causing about $300,000 in damage, a court has heard.
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Jesse Lee Smith, 22, appeared in the Wodonga Magistrates Court yesterday after the victim's home was gutted early January 1.
He allegedly tipped petrol from a lawnmower in the woman's bedroom after breaking into the Indigo Close property about 3.30am
The woman fell onto the road, hysterical and in shock, after returning to the house which is now unlivable.
Her three-year-old daughter's fire damaged toys can still be seen at the front of the property.
Smith told magistrate Ian Watkins he'd drunk about 1.5 litres of Jack Daniels on the night and was "very remorseful for my actions", but disagreed with what was alleged.
"I believe like half the evidence is not true," Smith said.
"I'll be pleading not guilty in court."
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The 22-year-old is charged with arson, stalking, burglary, breaching orders and assaulting police after his arrest in Albury on Friday.
Police allege he is obsessed with the victim, severely jealous, and struggling to come to accept the relationship ended last October.
The court heard Smith sent abusive messages to the woman on New Year's Eve and harassed her at Paddy's.
He was caught on multiple security cameras walking to a taxi and getting dropped off about 180 metres from the woman's home.
He allegedly continued to message and abuse her after the ordeal, and said "I'm heartbroken for what happened to you".
Mr Watkins said the allegations were a "frightening example of someone struggling to come to terms with the breakdown of a relationship", and refused bail to April 9.
