Bruno Mete likely to avoid prison over frightening Belmont arson attack

A psychotic man who burnt down a Belmont home, claiming to be protecting his neighbours from black mould, is likely to avoid more prison time after a marathon court proceeding.

Bruno Mete allegedly told his neighbour he was going to "set the place on fire" before his unit was engulfed in flames. Picture: Facebook.

A psychotic man who burnt down a Belmont home, claiming to be protecting his neighbours from black mould, is likely to avoid more prison time after a marathon court proceeding.

Geelong’s Bruno Mete, 33, has pleaded guilty to the serious arson attack on a Leonard St unit in October 2022 that caused more than $286,000 in damage.

The County Court of Victoria was told on Monday Mr Mete took a jerry can from his car and poured flammable liquid onto his lounge room floor before igniting it with a candle.

He called the Waurn Ponds police station regarding his concerns over black mould in his rental property before informing the unit next door he was “going to burn the place down and protect you from black mould”.

His defence lawyer, Joe Connolly, told the court his client was psychotic at the time and was suffering from bipolar Disorder.

He had also been using cannabis.

Firefighters and police attended the fully engulfed unit that was completely destroyed by flames.

A number of images were used in evidence against Mr Mete which showed the extensive damage to the property, and also captured him pouring contents from the jerry can down a drain after the fire was lit.

A jerry can was later found on the street.

He was arrested at the scene but was deemed unfit to be interviewed by detectives.

He was later charged with arson and served 45 days behind bars before being bailed.

Arson carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.

Bruno Mete. Picture: Peter Ristevski

Mr Mete, who now works in a Geelong West cafe, had expressed “serious remorse” for the raging fire, according to his defence lawyer Joe Connolly during his closing submissions.

“Mr Mete is not a man that needs to go back in to jail and it’s my submission the community would not expect this in this situation,” he told Judge Gregory Lyon.

Mr Connolly said his client had witnessed a suicide attempt during his childhood and the offending arose from an acute psychiatric episode.

He had remunerations about “wanting to die” at the time and other psychotic symptoms.

The court was told he also suffered from generalised anxiety.

Crown prosecutor Stephen Devlin told the court while no one was physically injured during the attack, other members of the community were affected “in a serious way.”

Two victim impact statements were tendered as evidence during court proceedings that had extended beyond 18 months.

Judge Lyon said Mr Mete was fortunate he had been “very ably” represented by Mr Connolly in an “intelligent, thoughtful and insightful way” and he would be “provided with a path so he did not go back to jail.”

He was ordered to undergo an assessment for a Community Corrections Order on Thursday before being formally sentenced in the New Year.

He was told to “stay off the cannabis”

“This judge is providing me with an opportunity not to send me back to prison,” Judge Lyon told a clearly emotional Mr Mete.

“Don’t go off the rails in the meantime.”

He indicated he would “impose punishment through a different means” and he was likely to avoid jail.

Mr Mete was bailed to appear before the judge in either January or February next year.

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Originally published as Bruno Mete likely to avoid prison over frightening Belmont arson attack