A landscaper from Ballarat has been accused of setting fire to a petrol station’s night window while an attendant was working inside.
Stuart McGillivray, 41, appeared before Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on Monday, facing charges related to what were described as “completely irrational” and potentially “catastrophic” actions at the petrol station.
The court was told that in June 2024, McGillivray allegedly stabbed a man in the chest during a dispute involving a member of his family.
Months later, on 13 November, he was reportedly involved in another incident at Ballarat Base Hospital. It’s alleged he snatched a phone charger from a man waiting in the patient fast-track area and punched him in the back of the head.
Later that day, police found McGillivray in a car on Sturt Street. Officers described him as “lethargic” and “barely responsive” and allegedly discovered a collection of items in his vehicle, including a glass pipe, syringes, methamphetamine, heroin, GHB, and a set of brass knuckles.
In the early hours of 14 November, at around 2:30 am, McGillivray was captured on CCTV loitering at the night counter of an Ampol petrol station for 15 minutes before requesting cigarettes. He is then alleged to have filled a watering can with petrol, poured it through the station’s night window, and ignited it with a lighter.
Fortunately, the quick-thinking station attendant extinguished the flames before they could spread further.
The court heard that McGillivray claimed he had no memory of the incident due to his level of intoxication. He expressed shame about his actions and admitted he had been struggling with emotional stress.
McGillivray, who has spent 60 days in custody, did not apply for bail. He is scheduled to appear in court again on 23 January.
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