Lazar Stamenkovic bailed on arson charge after allegedly setting fire to a car near community soccer game
A man charged with setting a car alight and pouring fuel over another full of people near a community soccer match has been given a “big chance” by a magistrate.
North & North East
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A Davoren Park man who allegedly lit a car on fire, before pouring petrol on another vehicle with four people inside opposite a community soccer match, has made a bid for bail.
Lazar Stamenkovic, 25, appeared in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court by video link on Thursday afternoon charged with arson.
Mr Stamenkovic is accused of carrying out the random attack near a soccer game at Kalara Reserve, in Davoren Park on September 12.
He allegedly poured petrol on to a silver Holden Commodore and set it alight, before the owner and witnesses gave chase.
A second vehicle, a blue Ford Falcon with four people inside, allegedly had petrol poured over it but was not set on fire.
#BREAKING: A man has just faced court accused of setting fire to a car at Davoren Park and then pouring petrol on another, with four people inside at the time. #9Newspic.twitter.com/OrZT17UTce
— 9News Adelaide (@9NewsAdel) September 13, 2021
Members of the public chased Mr Stamenkovic to Melbury St and were able to hold him until police arrived.
The accused was bailed to live at a property in Elizabeth Downs on Thursday.
“It should be my boss’ house,” Mr Stamenkovic told the court.
As the court heard about Mr Stamenkovic’s history of breaches of bail, and failed drug tests, the accused interjected, saying: “I’m trying to change my life”.
“I’ve got a (drug and alcohol) course waiting for me (outside jail),” he said.
Magistrate David White said there was a “real risk” of the accused breaching home detention but decided to give him “a big chance”.
“It’s a bail of last resort,” Mr White said.
“You’re on your last chance. If there’s any breach whatsoever, you’ll go back in.
“This is a big chance for you, make the most of it. If you don’t, you’re going to have real problems.”
Mr Stamenkovic will next appear in January.
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