One of the men convicted of setting fire to Old Parliament House will spend eight months in prison.

Nicholas Reed, 32, who is also known as Wareywaa Kirlwil Yarrawirri, was found guilty of arson by a jury in September.

Reed used hot coals to start a fire at the door of Old Parliament House on December 30, 2021, as part of a protest.

On the day of the offence, Reed carried several loads of hot coals to the door while other people obscured the flames from authorities.

The fire caused $5 million in damage to the historic doors, and the smoke damage inside of the building.

‘It served no purpose’

At a sentencing hearing last week, Reed told the court he had believed in the cause of Indigenous sovereignty and was actively supporting others who had gathered in Canberra during several weeks of protests in late 2021 and early 2022.

He said the group had not initially targeted Old Parliament House, but had been gathered at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy across the road.

“There was a directional shift,” Reed told the hearing.

“I would say it came about because we were there rather than the other way around.”

Reed also said he regretted the harm caused to local Indigenous groups, the Ngambri and Ngunnawal people, and the impact the events had on their work.

He said his conduct was not “honourable”.

At the hearing, Reed’s lawyer argued Reed was motivated by his passion for Indigenous issues.

But prosecutor Soraya Saikal-Skea told the court the fire was deliberately lit and Reed’s moral culpability was high.

“He was not just another protester,” Ms Saikal-Skea said.

In the ACT Supreme Court today, Justice David Mossop said Reed’s actions had caused “significant harm”.

“You need to recognise the very significant harm to the Commonwealth.”

Reed was sentenced to 23 months in prison in total, but will only need to serve eight months on the condition he signs an two-year good behaviour bond upon his release.