Alessandro Giovanni Cavuoto standing trial over alleged murder of housemate he allegedly set on fire

A man standing trial for murder is accused of spraying his housemate with fuel as he held a candle during a blackout, the Supreme Court has heard.

A man standing trial for murder who is accused of spraying his housemate with fuel as he held a candle during a blackout told another housemate he didn’t know why he did it, the Supreme Court has heard.

Alessandro Giovanni Cavuoto, 35, is standing trial in the Supreme Court charged with murder and two counts of aggravated creating likelihood of serious harm.

Mr Cavuoto has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Alessandro Cavuoto is standing trial in the Supreme Court for the, alleged murder of Todd Bradmore in March 2021. Picture: Facebook

It is alleged Mr Cavuoto was holding a lighter when he doused his housemate, Todd Bradmore, 31, with fuel, just after 3.30am on March 17, 2021 before fleeing to New South Wales.

Prosecution allege Mr Bradmore was holding a candle after a power outage in Woodville West.

It is further alleged Metropolitan Fire Crews used their hoses to try and cool the victim down, while the other housemate and her friend were treated for their injuries in the front yard.

Mr Bradmore later succumbed to his significant burns, from the top of his knees to his head, in the Royal Adelaide Hospital on March 19, 2021.

It is further alleged the fire caused injuries to Mr Bradmore’s partner, who was also living in the house, and her friend who was visiting from interstate.

Alessandro Cavuoto touching down in Adelaide after being extradited from New South Wales. Picture: 9 News

Prosecutor Lisa Dunlop told the court in her opening address that Mr Cavuoto allegedly told his other housemate that he had set the victim on fire and didn’t know why.

“When he (the other housemate) walked out of the petrol station… he saw Mr Cavuoto standing by his car,” she said.

“Mr Cavuoto said: ‘I just set Todd on fire, I don’t know why I did it’.

“(The housemate) will say he didn’t see any injuries or damage to the clothes he was wearing.”

Ms Dunlop said it is further alleged that Mr Bradmore, with some help from Mr Cavuoto, was involved in fraudulent activity which caused tension between the two, as well as the victim’s relationship with his girlfriend who was also residing at the house.

“In the days leading up to the fire there was some conflict (between the two) about some car bits that had been ordered and improperly delivered,” she said.

“There was some conflict around Mr Cavuoto believing Mr Bradmore wanted him to move out of this house.

Todd Bradmore, 31, of Woodville West, died after being set on fire. Picture: Facebook

“There were comments by the accused about wanting Mr Bradmore to more highly value or recognise his contribution to the fraudulent activities that were happening in the house.

“On the prosecution case, the tension between them was constant, but also building, leading up to the confrontation.”

Ms Dunlop said it is also alleged all occupants in the house were under the influence of drugs at the time of the alleged incident.

Ms Dunlop said it’s further alleged that, after setting Mr Bradmore on fire, the accused got into his car and drove to the petrol station where he talked to the other housemate before fleeing the state to New South Wales and getting into a car chase which resulted in an accident.

“New South Wales police tried to stop him…, and at about 7.30, after a short active pursuit by New South Wales police, he crashed his car and the police caught up to him,” she said.

“He’s unconscious and he’s obviously injured from the crash, the car is damaged.

“He’s later extracted from the car and airlifted to hospital.”

Mr Cavuoto was later extradited to South Australia and remanded in custody.

The trial continues.