Mary-Anne Klok: Mum accused of Coomera arson attack on son refused bail

A woman charged with starting the Gold Coast blaze that left her son in an induced coma with burns to about 80 per cent of his body has made a bid for bail, almost a year after her arrest.

A woman accused of an arson attack on her own son that left him with burns to about 80 per cent of his body has been refused bail almost a year after her arrest.

Mary-Anne Klok is charged with arson, grievous bodily harm, endangering particular property by fire, fraud, and stealing.

It is alleged the 61-year-old deliberately set fire to a unit on Fortune St, Coomera on July 31, with neighbours reporting at the time that they heard a loud explosion before the blaze.

A 37-year-old man – Ms Klok’s son, Daniel Klok – escaped from the fire with severe burns and ran several hundred metres to the Coomera police station to raise the alarm before collapsing.

He was rushed to hospital in a critical condition with burns to about 80 per cent of his body and initially placed in an induced coma.

Unit fire at Coomera on the Gold Coast. Picture: 7 News

Ms Klok is also alleged to have stolen petrol and food from 7/11 at Coomera the day of the fire, and to have left a service station without paying for her fuel the day prior.

She appeared in Southport Magistrates Court via videolink on Wednesday to apply for bail, having been in custody since her arrest last year.

Defence lawyer Demi Quadrio, of Gatenby Criminal Lawyers, said her client’s mental health had significantly deteriorated in the eight months leading up to the alleged offending and that a psychiatric report indicated she may have a mental health defence.

Ms Quadrio said Ms Klok’s case was last month referred to the Mental Health Court, and that she was in custody in a mental health unit until March.

The court was told Ms Klok struggled with substance abuse, but had stayed clean while in custody and remained a voluntary patient under the care of a psychiatrist.

“It is accepted that if Ms Klok were to relapse into the use of illicit substances, there would be a complete breakdown of all the progress that she’s made,” Ms Quadrio said.

“No grant of bail is risk-free and … (this application is) in the context Ms Klok of being 61 years old with no criminal history and this alleged offending occurring in the context of a significant breakdown.”

Police prosecutor Sergeant Manon Barwick opposed Ms Klok’s bail, arguing that her condition should not diminish the extent of the injuries to Mr Klok or damage to the Coomera property.

Sgt Barwick said it was a strong Crown case against the accused, though agreed the psychiatric report outlined “significant” indicators at the time of the alleged arson.

“Any lapse in failing to adhere to her medication schedule or a relapse into alcohol and drug use could send her on a spiral to committing more serious offences,” Sgt Barwick said.

Acting Magistrate Gary Finger refused Ms Klok’s bail, citing the seriousness of the allegations and risks identified in the psychiatric report.

Ms Klok was remanded in custody, with her case next listed for mention on October 11.

Originally published as Mary-Anne Klok: Mum accused of Coomera arson attack on son refused bail