Maan El Bizri allegedly harrassed ex-partner before sleeping in her bed and torching her Arundel home

A bodybuilder has faced court for allegedly sending 25 texts to an ex-girlfriend in one hour, sleeping in her bed uninvited and setting fire to her Arundel home.

A bodybuilder allegedly sent 25 text messages to his ex-partner in one hour, slept in her bed uninvited and set fire to her Arundel home.

When she moved, the Southport Magistrates Court was told he was spotted at the mailboxes of her new home.

Maan El Bizri says he will fight the allegations.

The 34-year-old was denied bail on Tuesday and is charged with multiple offences, including arson and stalking, both with the aggravation of being domestic violence offences.

Magistrate Dzenita Balic said the risk of El Bizri reoffending was too high to grant bail.

“At the highest (the Crown case) paints a very concerning picture,” she said.

“That picture is one of escalation amidst a domestic violence relationship.”

El Bizri and the woman began a relationship in early 2020.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Michelle Gorman said the relationship ended in July last year.

El Bizri’s lawyer, Torik Dib of Dib and Associates, said the relationship ended in December last year.

Picture: Instagram

The court was told El Bizri made 25 attempts to call the woman in one hour on February 5.

Days later, she returned to the home to find her dog missing and called El Bizri to help.

The dog was found dead in her garage and El Bizri helped her take it to the vet.

The dog died of natural causes.

The women allegedly asked El Bizri to leave.

The next morning, she alleges she woke to find El Bizri asleep in the bed beside her.

In February and March, El Bizri is accused of sending numerous texts to the woman. One allegedly read: “I hope you get what you deserved the whole time … I hate you.”

The court was told that about 6.45am on March 20 the garage at the woman’s Arundel home was set alight, causing “significant damage”.

Sgt Gorman said the woman moved that day.

Picture: Instagram

It is alleged El Bizri was seen two days later at the mailbox of the woman’s new home.

A Range Rover similar to the one owned by El Bizri’s new partner was seen near the woman’s home on two occasions, the court was told.

“He appears to be fixated with the woman and there were a number of contacts each day,” Sgt Gorman said.

“Police believe he will breach his bail because of that fixation. He doesn’t have a (criminal) history but as we know these matters can go from zero to 100 in no time.”

Mr Dib said El Bizri would be contesting the charges.

“They were in a relationship for two years and when she showed him love and affection he became fixated,” he said.

Picture: Instagram

Mr Dib said El Bizri was on a bridging visa from Lebanon after leaving to escape religious persecution.

The court was told El Bizri spent eight years in Dubai before moving to Australia in 2019.

Mr Dib said El Bizri worked in construction and at a cafe at night.

He said El Bizri sent $1000 a month to family and was their only means of support.

Outside of court, Mr Dib said El Bizri would be seeking bail in the Supreme Court in the coming weeks.

The matter will return to the Southport Magistrates Court on May 6.

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