A MAN accused of setting seven fires at a residential units village in Dandenong this month has been bailed to stay at a psychiatric hospital.
At a bail hearing at Dandenong Magistrates Court last Tuesday, Matthew Kingston, 33, of Dandenong, faced nine counts of criminal damage by fire and two counts of conduct endangering life.
He is accused of having lit seven fires at the village — which formerly housed Dandenong RSL members — at 60 Clow Street.
He is also charged with two bin fires at a medical clinic in Clow Street and a house in King Street between October 3 and 14. The fires were all lit between 9pm and 2.30am.
One fire caused up to $30,000 damage to a communal laundry at the village, while another started in an outdoor couch spread to a unit’s wooden awning.
Other fires were lit by dry grass in a bin in the village’s communal storage area and another was lit outside a unit’s bedroom.
Defence lawyer Greg Martin told the court Kingston suffered a “major depressive disorder” and had no prior offences.
A bed was available that day at St John of God Pinelodge Clinic, a psychiatric hospital that had previously treated Kingston.
“You’ve been charged with some very serious offences,” magistrate Gerard Bryant told Kingston.
“It’s clear that you’ve got mental health issues that have to be attended to sooner rather than later.”
Kingston’s bail conditions include a 6pm-6am night curfew unless accompanied by Pinelodge staff and that he keep 200 metres away from 60 Clow Street unless with police officers.
Mr Bryant also imposed conditions that Kingston stop drinking alcohol, and remain at Pinelodge unless suitable accommodation was found and doctors said it was “safe to do so”.
He is scheduled to reappear at Dandenong Magistrates Court on November 13.
Any information on the King Street fire to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
