The man convicted of setting the fire that destroyed a historic downtown Orillia building is heading back to jail, though only briefly.

Brandon Costa, 37, appeared in a Barrie courtroom Wednesday, where he pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to comply with a probation order and one count of wilfully obstructing a peace officer, according to an OrilliaMatters report.

The judge sentenced Costa to 75 days in jail, less time served. He had spent 44 days in custody, which earned him a 66-day credit, leaving nine days to serve. He will then be on probation for 18 months, with conditions that include keeping the peace, being of good behaviour, attending counselling and receiving treatment for his mental health issues.

The sentence fell well short of the 180-day jail term the Crown had sought. Costa's defence had asked for a sentence of time served.

Background

Costa was sentenced to 11 months in jail last May after pleading guilty to arson for the fire that destroyed a historic building at the corner of Peter and Mississaga streets in downtown Orillia in 2025. At that time, he also pleaded guilty to breaching his release conditions by possessing a lighter.

According to the Crown, Costa failed to report to his probation officer after his release from custody. In early September, court heard, he obstructed a Barrie police officer and, while bound by a probation order, failed to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.

His lawyer, Elizabeth Sealey, told the court Costa struggles with mental health issues including schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as an addiction to methamphetamine.

In the courtroom

Throughout the proceedings, Costa repeatedly blessed himself while in the prisoner's dock and stared off into the distance, appearing unaware of the gravity of the situation.

When the judge delivered his decision, Costa blurted out that he did not want to go back to jail.

People are assaulting me and taking my food,

he said of his time behind bars.

The judge acknowledged Costa's disappointment with the outcome.

It's not the sentence you wished for,

the judge told him.