District Court date looms closer for church arsonist Stephen Anthony Luke

Police allege the man set fire to garden plants and irrigation plumbing pipes at a Hillsong property, causing about $2000 worth of damage before allegedly setting fire to Lismore cathedral.

A fire broke out at St Carthage's Cathedral in Lismore. File photo: Alison Paterson.

Charges are slowly proceeding to the District Court against a man who allegedly tried to burn down Lismore’s St Carthage’s Cathedral and a Hillsong property

Stephen Anthony Luke, 46, is accused of carrying out a week-long crime spree across NSW in September, which involved allegedly setting fire to two churches and stealing money and cars.

According to court documents tendered to Lismore Local Court, police allege Mr Luke threatened a 20-year-old woman in a car park with a knife before demanding she give him the car keys on September 14.

He then allegedly fled the area in her Volkswagen Polo, along with her handbag containing personal items.

Police will allege Mr Luke then approached a 23-year-old woman outside a shopping centre at Hornsby, where he threatened her with a large knife.

He allegedly demanded she hand over her cash, but she was able to flee without handing over any of her possessions.

Then, according to the timeline outlined in court documents, police allege Mr Luke set fire to garden plants and irrigation plumbing pipes at the Hillsong property in Norwest, causing about $2000 worth of damage, and painted a building wall without consent on September 16.

Clean-up and assessment of the damage is under way at St Carthage's Cathedral, Lismore, after a fire.File: Alison Paterson

He then travelled to Lismore, where he allegedly set fire to St Carthage‘s Cathedral in Lismore on September 18.

Multiple fire crews were called to the cathedral and managed to extinguish the blaze.

Mr Luke was later arrested on September 19 on Magellan Street, Lismore.

Founder of the Hillsong Church, Pastor Brian Houston (left). It is alleged Stephen Anthony Luke (right) damaged his property.

Mr Luke’s matter was heard before Lismore Local Court on Wednesday, July 14 where the DPP prosecutor told the court three out of the four matters were ready to be certified.

The charges will proceed both to district court and on a 166 certificate.

Those charges ready to proceed to District Court included, damaging a property by fire at a cost greater than $15,000, damaging a property by fire at a cost equal or less than $2000 and using an offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention.

The court heard the DPP intended to adjourn the matter for two weeks so they can file the remaining charges.

These charges include two counts of assault with intent to rob armed with an offensive weapon, armed robbery using with offensive weapon, two counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception and larceny.

Magistrate Jeff Linden adjourned all matters to July 28 at Lismore Local Court for case conference mention.

Mr Luke will remain in custody until that date.