Rayne Crowe: Man faces court over Old Parliament House fire

A man with ties to the Northern Territory and NSW has faced the ACT Magistrates Court for charges relating to December’s Old Parliament House fire.

A man co-accused of arson over December’s Old Parliament House fire has been bailed at the ACT Magistrates Court.

Rayne Orion Crowe, aka Rayne Huddleston, fronted court on Monday facing charges of joint commission arson and resisting a territory public official after he was arrested over the weekend.

Mr Crowe did not enter any pleas, and applied for bail which was opposed by the prosecution over concerns the defendant would not return to court; flee the ACT; would convene with co-accused persons and that due to his “sovereign citizen’ ideology he would not take court orders seriously.

The court heard if found guilty Mr Crowe could face a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment.

An Australian Federal Police officer Constable Callum Jones - who is attached to Operation Pike, an investigation into the December 30 fire at Old Parliament House - was asked by the prosecutor to give evidence.

Rayne Crowe aka Rayne Hiddleston has faced the ACT Magistrates Court charged with arson over the Old Parliament House fire in December. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

The Constable told the court Mr Crowe was considered a “person of interest” in relation to the Old Parliament House fire.

He told the court police believe Mr Crowe was standing outside the fire at the heritage listed building and would not let police go past him during the incident.

Mr Jones said investigators had footage of him on CCTV and had found videos posted on social media by Sovereign Citizen protesters which depicted Mr Crowe.

“Is there any proof,” Mr Crowe interjected.

The police officer resumed giving evidence and told the court that police believe there are more than 12 co-defendants relating to the December 30 fire.

Mr Jones said Mr Crowe was only located by police after he was found with cannabis in his system during a routine drug driving operation.

The police officer alleged Crowe was closely linked to co-offenders such as Bruce Shillingsworth Junior.

Protesters and police officers squaring off on December 30 2021 following a blaze at Old Parliament House. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Following the evidence given by the police witness, Mr Crowe’s lawyer told the court his client had links to communities in NSW and the NT but was currently living in the suburb of Griffith in Canberra’s inner south.

The lawyer told the court Mr Crowe had obtained work as an assistant warehouse manager in Fyshwick and that he provided care to his grandfather who has a number of illnesses and requires dialysis.

Following an adjournment Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker granted Mr Crowe bail under a number of strict conditions including to not contact any co-defendants, to not leave the ACT and to not visit the suburbs of Parkes and Barton without a prearranged appointment.

The magistrate listed a number of names of people currently before the court on charges relating to the December 30 incident.

“Nicholas Reed, Bruce Shillingsworth Junior, Ryan Harder, Dylan Wilson, River Williams …” she said.

“They call me on a daily basis,” Mr Crowe replied.

“Well if they do you should know their numbers. Block them.” Ms Walker said.

Mr Crowe will next appear in court on May 2.