Half an acre of bushland at Bellingen Lookout went up in flames in an act allegedly boasted about on Snapchat as “burning koalas”. Now the 18-year-old accused has walked free on bail.
Harrison Johnson faced online bail court on Wednesday, charged with intentionally starting a fire and being reckless as to its spread.
Police allege the fire was deliberately lit near Mallards Trail off Bowraville Road at about 8.30pm on Monday, 6 April, not getting too far before Rural Fire Service crews arrived on scene and brought the blaze under control, extinguishing it before it could spread further into surrounding bush.
Police prosecutor Leeaane Smith fought to keep Johnson behind bars, opposing his release and telling the court the allegation involved “the deliberate lighting of a bushfire that in any other conditions could have been catastrophic”.
The court heard police allege Johnson and a co-accused referenced “burning koalas” on Snapchat in connection with the blaze, an allegation that formed a central part of the prosecution’s case against granting bail.
Defence solicitor Barbara Lu told the court her client had only a very limited record, made up of fines and community-based matters.
Judge Katherine Jurd called the allegation serious, but weighed it against Johnson’s age and limited history before making her ruling.
She ultimately granted bail, but not without conditions designed to keep him on a tight leash in the lead-up to his next court date.
Johnson must report to Bellingen Police Station three times a week and obey a strict night curfew.
He has also been banned from setting foot on crown land at Bellingen Lookout, and cannot go within 100 metres of Mallards Trail off Bowraville Road, the site of the alleged offending.
Johnson is due back before Coffs Harbour Local Court on Wednesday, 22 July.
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