Horrific random attack could have burned man alive, police allege at Pine Rivers court

‘You’re lucky c--t!’ Murrumba Downs pedestrian narrowly escapes tragedy when alleged attacker couldn’t start his lighter.

A Brisbane father-of-three allegedly tried to set a stranger alight with a can of Iron X and a lighter at Murrumba Downs on March 6, the Pine Rivers Magistrates Court heard on Monday.

Police prosecutor sergeant Graham Turner said the victim noticed a strange man with a black bag fidgeting and muttering to himself at around 4pm.

As the victim turned the corner onto McClintock Rd it seemed as though the man was following him, and his pace was quickening.

Without any further warning, the man, later identified as 51-year-old Ephraim Joseph Menses, allegedly sprang forward and sprayed the victim with “a tin of liquid like WD-40”.

The oil-like substance covered the victims upper arm.

Ephraim Menses faces court accused of assaulting a random pedestrian with a can of Iron X and a lighter.

Sgt Turner alleged that as Menses sprayed the substance, he frantically tried to flick on the flame of his lighter.

“He was clicking it repeatedly while holding the spray in front of the lighter,” Sgt Turner said.

“(When it became apparent the lighter wasn’t working), the victim recalled him saying, ‘You’re lucky c---t’.”

The victim hurried away onto Dohles Rocks Rd where he grabbed the attention of a police officer and reported the incident.

Patrols later found Menses at a nearby address and he was charged with common assault.

“This was clearly extremely concerning that he was both spraying an unknown substance and also attempting to light it,” Sgt Turner said.

Menses pleaded guilty to the charge.

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Duty lawyer Tristan Butler-Keegan of Gary Rolfe Solicitors told the court his client suffered from schizophrenia and was experiencing paranoia at the time of the offence.

He argued Menses should be fined without further penalty.

Magistrate Trevor Morgan disagreed, stating Menses had allegedly committed “a very serious assault”.

“The assault was basically the threat to harm by burning and that must expose him to a term of imprisonment,” Mr Morgan said.

“If he was or is the sufferer of a mental illness that might explain his behaviour, but we’re relying on him telling you that without any substance or corroboration.”

The defence elected to adjourn the case for Menses to provide evidence of mental illness.

Menses was released on bail and will reappear at court on April 12.