Teens accused of leaving friend to die after botching arson attack for $3000

Two teenagers are accused of leaving their 13-year-old friend to die after botching a firebombing in Melbourne’s north-west amid a wave of arson attacks across the city.

A court heard the 16-year-old boys, who cannot be named due to their age, were allegedly promised $3000 to set fires on Woolwich Way in Taylors Hill on Monday.

CCTV from a neighbouring property showed a person running from the scene engulfed in flames around 5.15am and jumping into a car that later crashed.

On Thursday, police said a 13-year-old boy suffered burns to more than 90 per cent of his body and was in a critical condition in hospital.

Two 16-year-olds appeared at Children’s Court later on Thursday afternoon charged with conduct endangering life, recklessly causing serious injury in circumstances of gross violence, arson, and theft of a motor vehicle.

An arson squad investigator alleged one of the boys had a handwritten letter admitting to arson in his bedroom when he was arrested.

The detective also testified one of the accused had apologised to the critically injured boy’s sister after she appealed for information on social media.

“The co-accused spoke to her and sent her messages on Snapchat explaining the offending and who was involved,” he said.

The 13-year-old has undergone a 12-hour skin graft surgery and remains in an induced coma, the investigator told the court.

“It is highly possible he may die from his injuries,” he said.

The court heard the boy was “entirely consumed by flames” and walked across the street “screaming for help before collapsing” while his alleged co-offenders ran away.

Police claimed CCTV, telephone intercepts and burns on one of the accused’s ankles supported their allegations.

One of the 16-year-olds applied for bail, leading his defence lawyer to argue his lack of criminal history and claims he remained in a car during the arson meant he was not an unacceptable risk to the public.

He said the evidence about planning for the alleged offending was “weak at best” and meant the boy could spend more time on remand than he may ultimately receive if found guilty.

“There is a real question about whether he receives a term of imprisonment,” the defence lawyer said.

However, the police investigator said: “I would say it is so reckless and so extreme – nearly causing death to a friend, let alone the people inside the house – that the risk is huge to the public.”

The magistrate ultimately denied bail.

“It’s alleged that you’ve gone from nothing to what is just so incredibly serious offending,” she told the boy. “I just can’t give you bail today.”

In a statement, police said a 15-year-old boy was also arrested on Thursday over the Taylors Hill arson and is expected to be charged on summons.

“As a result of this incident, we have a young boy whose life is currently hanging in the balance,” said Detective Inspector Chris Murray, head of the arson squad.

“We intend to hold all those who were with him responsible for his critical injuries but importantly, we are committed to identifying those who tasked this arson.”

The arrests come after 13 vehicles were torched just this week across Melbourne.

Six cars were torched outside four homes across Melbourne’s north and east early on Thursday in the fourth consecutive night of arson attacks.

Around 1.55am, emergency services were called to the first home on Pallant Avenue in Reservoir after reports two cars had been set alight.

Within 20 minutes, they received reports about a second nearby car fire on Boldrewood Parade in Reservoir.

Police said there were no injuries, but two cars at the property were completely destroyed. “At this stage, investigators believe the fires are linked,” the force said in a statement.

About 3.45am, crews in Melbourne’s south-east were called to a home on Burrapike Avenue in Springvale for a fifth car fire.

Eight people were inside the home at the time, but were uninjured. Police said the car parked outside the home was destroyed, and the home sustained minor damage.

Just over an hour later, emergency services were called to a fourth fire on Kuranda Crescent in Oakleigh East.

Police said a car in the home’s driveway had also been destroyed. Four people inside escaped without injury.

In response to the latest arson attacks on Thursday, Premier Ben Carroll said the Victorian government was coming for those orchestrating the crimes.

“These adult imbeciles using these young kids to do their dirty work is completely unacceptable,” Carroll said.

“I’ve called the chief commissioner, and I will do everything I can to give him every resource he needs to get on top of this.”

Troy Papworth, acting commander for Victoria Police’s north-west metropolitan region, said organised crime syndicates were behind most arson attacks.

However, he could not say if there was a particular motive for spate across Melbourne in the last four days.

Anyone who witnessed either of the incidents, has dashcam or CCTV footage or anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an online confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

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