By Casey Neill
Plea bargain may mean bank arsonist avoids public hearing…
The Rohingya asylum seeker charged over the Springvale bank fire may not have to face trial.
Springvale man Nur Islam, 22, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, sitting at the County Court, for a committal mention hearing via video link on Thursday 11 May.
Police charged him with 92 offences over a fire in the Commonwealth Bank branch on Springvale Road on 18 November last year.
The incident injured more than 20 people and caused about $2.5 million in damage.
Mr Islam’s charges include intentionally and recklessly causing serious injury, causing serious injury in circumstances of gross violence, damage to property by fire, arson and intending to endanger life.
Police allege he poured petrol on the entry and exit floor of the bank and ignited the fuel, “causing a large fire entrapping customers and staff inside the branch”.
On the video link, a white bandage covering his left arm was visible. His black hair and beard were cut short.
The case was delayed while the court waited for a Burmese interpreter, but Magistrate Donna Bakos and parties elected to go on without her.
Mr Islam’s lawyer, Kate Ballard from Doogue, O’Brien and George, said she would later meet with him alongside an interpreter and explain what had taken place.
She requested an adjournment and made no application for bail.
Ms Ballard explained that she was in discussions with the prosecution about an offer and wanted more time to figure out the details.
“This matter can settle,” Ms Ballard said.
“It’s just a matter of what are the appropriate charges.”
She asked for a three-week adjournment, which Ms Bakos granted.
He will return to court on Thursday 1 June.
The bank reopened its doors on Monday 3 May. Staff said that returning to work would help them to heal.
