By Emily Woods
A man living under a bridge when he allegedly set fire to a city synagogue told police he believed it was a home and not a place of worship, a court has heard.
Angelo Loras, 34, applied to be released on bail at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday despite having no fixed address, nor any family or employment in Victoria.
Angelo Loras is accused of setting fire to the East Melbourne synagogue.
He is accused of setting fire to the entrance of East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation on July 5 while up to 20 congregants, including children, were inside for Shabbat.
Loras, who has been charged with placing people in danger of death or serious injury and causing about $5000 of damage to the front of the synagogue, is yet to enter a plea.
Prosecutor Anthony Albore opposed Loras’ release on bail because he said he posed an unacceptable risk of placing the community in danger and of not complying with bail conditions.
A summary of the allegations against Loras was read to court, including comments during his police interview.
The scorched door of the East Melbourne Synagogue after it was set alight.Credit: Christopher Hopkins
Loras was arrested the day after the fire, wearing the same clothing and carrying a duffel bag allegedly seen at the scene, Detective Senior Constable Dylan Vertigan said.
“The accused made full admissions to being the person who lit the fire at the synagogue, although he stated he was unaware it was a place of worship at the time,” he told the court.
“He stated he was carrying a small amount of alcohol in his plastic bottle, which he no longer wished to possess, and therefore he chose the synagogue, thinking it was a residential premises, to set the alcohol on fire.”
Loras claimed he had poured the alcohol on concrete ground and did not know anyone was inside the synagogue at the time, he said.
Vision of the fire was played to court, in which a man in black can be seen pouring a liquid near the entrance before setting it on fire, and is then nearly engulfed himself, before leaving the scene.
The detective admitted police could not find a motive for the blaze after searching Loris’ mobile phone and tablet, but noted a large Star of David and writing in Hebrew could be seen above the door of the heritage building.
The fire caused damage to the synagogue’s front door and carpet, but no one was injured.
Vertigan said Loras was originally from Iran and had moved to Australia on a humanitarian visa nine years ago. He had previously lived in NSW, where he still had family.
The detective said Loras had quit a forklift driving job in NSW and moved to Victoria between nine and 12 months ago, and he had been “living rough that entire time” and receiving Centrelink payments.
“He did state that he had been living under a bridge near the Flinders Street railway station,” Vertigan said.
The bail application was adjourned part-heard to Tuesday.
AAP
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.