A jilted sex worker who killed a young family in a deadly townhouse arson sent her client chilling texts that he “f***ed with the wrong person”, a court has been told.
Jenny Hayes was so enraged after her client took money following a sexual liaison that she sent a barrage of messages minutes after he drove away.
In a horrifying act, she used a lighter to ignite a mattress in the downstairs room of a Melbourne townhouse.
Inderpal Singh, his partner Abigail Forrest and their 3-week old baby Ivy died in the fire.
Hayes’ chilling texts were revealed during her sentencing at Melbourne Supreme Court on Friday.
Aakash was a friend of Singh’s who allowed him to use the room from time to time, Justice Elizabeth Hollingworth said.
She said Aakash paid Hayes $180 for oral sex and intercourse.
“Aakash asked you to have sex again and you refused, so he took money from your purse,” Justice Hollingworth said.
Aakash left following the dispute.
Hayes texted him multiple times threatening to charge him, saying police had his number plate and he was “going to jail”.
Jenny Hayes killed a family of three by setting their Point Cook home on fire in December 2020, Melbourne Magistrates Court was told. Photo / Supplied
Justice Hollingworth said Aakash blocked Hayes’ number and deleted the messages.
At 2.48am she sent a text saying: “And I’m setting your house on fire right now.”
Justice Hollingworth said Hayes sent two further messages saying (sic): “Oh and you left yor lighter cops are coming here now” and “U f***ed with the wrong person.”
The court was told Hayes set fire to the mattress in the downstairs room.
She drove off, still messaging Aakash pictures of the blaze.
The bodies of Singh, Forrest and Ivy were found in the remains of the townhouse hours later.
The court was told Hayes messaged her son that she had done something “stupid” after returning home that morning.
In another message she told Aakash: “U took all my money U f***ed with the wrong person d**khead.”
Texts that Jenny Hayes sent. Photo / Supplied
Justice Hollingworth said Hayes messaged another acquaintance saying: “A client took all my money so I burnt his house down.”
She said she was “so sick of people thinking they can just do this sh*t to me and nothing happens to them” and “he took what I had so I took what he had”.
Hayes, from Fawkner, pleaded guilty earlier this year to three counts of arson causing death.
Justice Hollingworth said Hayes was genuinely remorseful for causing the trio’s deaths as she did not realise there were others in the house at the time.
She was “hysterical” when arrested and expressed disbelief that anyone had been hurt.
“Even though the prosecution has not established that you knew that there were other people in the townhouse, your offending is still serious,” Justice Hollingworth said.
“Your actions were a dangerous and totally inappropriate overreaction to Aakash’s conduct.
“Three innocent people lost their lives as a result of your actions.”
The court was told Hayes’ actions were “not entirely spontaneous”, as it would have been apparent the fire would get out of control.
