‘I want to set them on fire’: ARIA-nominated musician’s alleged threats to ex-partner

An ARIA-nominated musician and Olympian has been issued an apprehended violence order after it was alleged in court that he told a woman he had dreams about pouring petrol on his ex-partner and setting her and her current partner alight.

The AVO protects the ex-partner, her current partner and two others in the home.

It is the second AVO issued to folk singer-songwriter Paul Greene in the past year, both protecting former partners .

In November, Greene’s most recent partner Mary* was protected by a two-year AVO in Nowra Local Court. That order was made by consent and without admissions from Greene.

Days after that AVO was issued, Mary reached out to Jess*, who had been in an earlier long-term relationship with Greene, claiming he had made comments that scared her.

Greene allegedly told her he could ride up to Jess’ home disguised in his motorcycle gear, and knew how long he would serve in jail if he was convicted of double homicide, saying it would be “worth it”.

“[He] used to go really dark and talk about how he wanted to take you and [your current partner] out, and he wouldn’t care if he went to jail,” Mary texted her.

“It used to freak me out, but I never thought he actually would, but now I’m not so sure. I’m worried about you guys.”

Mary said Greene had begun drinking heavily and taking drugs, which had been a trigger for his alleged domestic violence against Jess while they were in a relationship.

A third woman also told police Greene spoke of dreams he had about killing Jess and her current partner, saying he “wanted to set them on fire by pouring gasoline on them and lighting them on fire”.

The woman also said Greene told her he “want[ed] to slit their throats”, burn their house down and “see them in pain”.

The AVO, which states that police have concerns about the escalating nature of the threats, was issued in Nowra Court last Monday, prohibiting Greene from going within 500 metres of Jess’ home or work, contacting her, or threatening her.

It took nine months for the final order to be made following a series of delays and adjournments. In one instance, Jess spent the day waiting to give video-link evidence from a police station, only for the case to be adjourned without her being called.

Greene was also charged with breaching the interim AVO after making a call to Jess’ phone. He was found not guilty, with the judge unconvinced the call was intentional.