Alexander Peter Brown, 35, was charged with arson before he was granted bail by the ACT Magistrates Court. Photo: Albert McKnight.
A court heard an entire Canberra apartment complex has been condemned due to a fire that was allegedly started when a resident set fire to a scooter in the basement.
Alexander Peter Brown, 35, is accused of setting the scooter on fire in the basement carpark of the apartment complex on De Burgh Street, Lyneham on the night of 5 December 2025.
Last year, ACT Policing alleged the fire spread from the scooter and engulfed a nearby vehicle.
Brown was arrested that month, charged with arson and originally refused bail before he applied for it again in the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday (8 January).
The court heard police claimed there was a history of animosity between Brown, who lived at the complex and his neighbours.
It is alleged two residents heard him admit he set fire to a scooter in the basement of the building. He also allegedly tried to intimidate a witness, which was seen by police.
Prosecutor Harry Wagner, who opposed bail, said police reported the unit complex was now condemned, which meant it was uninhabitable for all residents who lived there.
He said this meant the alleged arson would be considered a serious example of the offence, if it was proven.
Defence lawyer Edward Chen of Legal Aid said the strength of the prosecution case was largely dependent on two witnesses whose evidence was untested.
He said there was animosity between Brown and his neighbours, so there may have been a motive to try and get rid of him.
He claimed it was in fact his client who had been targeted by the neighbours, not the other way around.
“There is a lot unknown to the court,” Mr Chen said.
“It is very dangerous to detain someone on the basis of speculation and second-hand hearsay.”
He also noted that due to the seriousness of the charge and the fact his client pleaded not guilty, the matter would have to go to a trial in the ACT Supreme Court.
Magistrate Amy Begley said the prosecution case relied on the credibility of the witnesses who heard Brown’s alleged admissions.
She also said as the building was now condemned, that meant that while the alleged incident was serious, it would be harder for Brown to contact the residents.
The magistrate granted bail on what she said were very strict conditions and adjourned the matter to 26 February for a pre-hearing mention.
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