Man jailed for terror campaign against former business partner, including hotel arson

A judge has jailed a man who "embarked on a consistent campaign of terror" against his former business partner, including torching the complex containing the Oxford Hotel in North Adelaide.

Joseph Chehade, 39, was jailed on Thursday after pleading guilty to criminal trespass, aggravated assault and arson.

In sentencing on Thursday, District Court judge Anthony Allen said Chehade's offending began after he and his former business partner Walter Ventura severed ties on July 13, 2023.

"I agree with the submission advanced by your counsel that your behaviour at the time of this offending came about as a consequence of you having completely lost control of your life," he said.

Judge Allen said Chehade's "campaign" began when he smashed windows at Mr Ventura's home before assaulting him in front of his family.

"You pushed the victim part way down the stairs and verbally abused him. You then picked up a broomstick and struck the victim on multiple occasions, approximately 10 times, with the broom handle, striking him to the head and body," he said.

"The victim's terrified wife called the police, as did his traumatised children.

"It is apparent his children thought you were going to kill their father.

Judge Allen said Chehade was subsequently arrested by police and released on bail.

He said the man came to the attention of police again on July 27, 2024, after he started an "extremely dangerous" fire at a business complex containing the Oxford Hotel at 107 O'Connell Street in North Adelaide.

"Through your counsel you say you have no memory of lighting the fire and deny this being an act of retribution against your business partner," Judge Allen said.

"Whilst it might be that you did not intend to cause the amount of damage that occurred, that being in the vicinity of about $1.5 million, I am satisfied that you deliberately lit the fire as a consequence of your continuing fixated discontent towards the victim."

Judge Allen said that victim impact statements provided to the court make it "apparent" that Chehade's "behaviour has had a terrible, long-lasting impact".

Chehade was jailed for five years with a non-parole period of two years and nine months.

The sentence was backdated to when Chehade was taken into custody on July 27, 2024, making him eligible for release on parole in April next year.