A Canberra man accused of attempting to set a gas bottle alight near a fuel pump has been denied bail, with the court citing serious risks to public safety.
Bradley Joe Roberts, 27, is facing multiple charges after a series of incidents allegedly took place in March and April. The most serious charge stems from an alleged attempt to ignite a gas bottle at an Ampol service station in Calwell on 21 March.
According to court proceedings, Roberts is accused of bringing a lighter and fuel to the petrol pump area and attempting to set the gas bottle on fire. He was arrested shortly after the incident and released on bail under strict conditions, one of which was to stay away from the Calwell service station.
However, prosecutors allege that just a week later, Roberts violated these bail conditions by going to a different Ampol station in Conder. There, he allegedly threw a brick through the glass door, causing significant damage. It’s also claimed he used the same brick in a threatening manner towards a customer.
These additional allegations led to his second arrest in early April. Roberts is now facing a combination of serious charges, including attempted arson, robbery, and property damage. The prosecution has argued against granting bail, citing concerns over repeated non-compliance with bail conditions and the potential danger he poses to others.
Roberts’ defence lawyer said that the initial incident in Calwell occurred while his client was under the influence of drugs. Since being taken into custody, Roberts has reportedly expressed a willingness to seek treatment and has applied for a place in a full-time residential drug rehabilitation programme. The defence argued that participation in such a programme would be in the broader interest of the community, given Roberts’ age and his lack of prior access to structured rehabilitation support.
Despite this, the court found the risks too significant to ignore. It was noted that the allegations suggested not only a disregard for public safety but also a clear failure to comply with previously imposed bail terms. Based on this assessment, the court determined there was insufficient confidence that Roberts would abide by any new bail conditions or the structure of a rehabilitation programme.
Bail was formally refused, and Roberts remains in custody. The case has been adjourned until 19 June. It remains unclear whether any pleas have been entered.
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