Oxford Hotel complex fire suspect denied bail
North Adelaide Joseph Paul Chehade handed himself into police on Saturday night, accused of lighting a fire in a complex containing the Oxford Hotel.
The man has had issues with the complex owner in the past and just two weeks earlier was charged with assaulting the part-owner.
The 37-year-old appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday and applied for bail.
Magistrate Kym Millard heard Chehade had started a small fire in the complex which "accidentally got out of control".
Chehade could be "seen on CCTV footage to walk towards the address that the fire occurred at 6:45am", Millard said.
"Then, shortly thereafter, the fire began and the accused is identified … as the person walking east on Tynte Street.
"He admits to having left his telephone behind, he says he approached someone in the street and asked them to call (emergency services).
"The prosecution case is that forensic investigators will provide evidence to support a conclusion that an accelerant was used, the defendant has an explanation as to why there may have been accelerant found in the damaged building."
Chehade is also alleged to have caused damage to another O'Connell Street property owned by the alleged victim of the previous assault.
It seems Chehade was acting out after being told the complex was to be sold and he could no longer stay at the property.
The fire caused in "excess of $1 million" in damages to the complex, which contains the historic hotel.
According to duty solicitor Tyson Leung, Chehade aims to contest the charge, however the prosecution opposed the bail application citing the seriousness of the offending.
The magistrate called Chehade a "very poor candidate for bail" and refused the application.
"The charges are far too serious given the events that occurred over a period of weeks," he said.
"They suggest a compulsive position of anger and retribution towards the (victim)."
Chehade will appear in court in November.
Jonathan Jackson, 30th July 2024
