Shannon Paul Hargraves granted bail after being accused of setting five cars on fire in Surfers Paradise

A homeless man accused of setting five cars alight in Surfers Paradise earlier this year has faced court. WHAT HAPPENED

A homeless man accused of setting fire to five cars in Surfers Paradise has been ordered to complete community service after breaching bail by returning to the party precinct.

 Shannon Paul Hargraves is alleged to have caused thousands of dollars in damage when it is claimed he used his bike to ride around Hamilton Ave, River Tce and Vista St and set fire to five cars between 10.45pm and 11.55pm on July 26. 

The 34-year-old pleaded guilty to four counts of breach of bail and three counts of fail to appear in the Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday. 

Hargraves racked up the string of charges after he broke a condition of his bail preventing him from returning to the Surfers Paradise safe night precinct, failed to report to police and failed to appear for his court dates, the court was told. 

His solicitor Demi Quadrio said Hargraves’ criminal history escalated from 2020 when he began a “period of transiency and homelessness”. 

“Often, he was going into Surfers to receive food,” Ms Quadrio said. 

Magistrate Kerry Magee sentenced the 34-year-old to complete 34 hours of unpaid community service. 

Convictions were recorded. 

Hargraves’ other matters – including charges of wilful damage, serious assault of a person over 60 and assault occasioning bodily harm – were adjourned to December 13.

EARLIER: Homeless man denies torching cars in Surfers - July 27 

A homeless man accused of setting fire to multiple cars on fire in Surfers Paradise overnight denies he had anything to do with the blazes.

 Shannon Paul Hargraves is alleged to have caused thousands of dollars in damage when it is claimed he used his bike to ride around Hamilton Ave, River Terrace and Vista St and set fire to five cars between 10.45pm and 11.55pm on Tuesday night.

The Southport Magistrates Court was told Hargraves was tracked by the tail lights on his pushbike.

He has been charged with five counts of wilful damage and one count each of breaching bail, public nuisance and being drunk in a public place.

The 33-year-old was arrested on Thornton Street.

Emergency services responded after multiple car fires were reported at Surfers Paradise. File image.

The court was told Hargraves was already on bail for an assault occasioning bodily harm in April 2020.

Defence lawyer Chris Schrader, of Legal Aid Queensland, said Hargraves denied lighting the car on fire.

“He is disputing the charges and wishes to see the CCTV footage,” he said.

Mr Schrader described the evidence as “circumstantial”.

He said Hargraves was unconscious when he was found. Mr Schrader told the court Hargraves was struggling with homelessness and alcoholism.

He said Hargraves had been assessed by Court Link as someone who they could provide assistance.

Acting Magistrate Rowan Silva described the Crown case as “powerful”.

“It is a bizarre set of offences,” he said.

Mr Silva said the allegations were concerning.

“The CCTV captures him riding around the streets of Surfers Paradise lighting multiple vehicles on fire,” he said.

“The red tail lights were followed by the CCTV office to the place where he was found and the bike was. It seems to be a powerful Crown case.”

Magistrate Silva granted Hargraves bail on strict conditions including that he seek assistance from Court Link, he report regularly to police, only come into the Southport CBD for court and to report to police and not go to Surfers Paradise.

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Originally published as Shannon Paul Hargraves granted bail after being accused of setting five cars on fire in Surfers Paradise