Rocky Pereira: Wodonga man blames RM Fresh cafe arson on gambling debt

A Wodonga man accused of setting his Wodonga cafe on fire in 2018 has claimed the financial pressures of his gambling debt forced his decision.

A man accused of setting fire to his Wodonga cafe for the insurance has claimed he was under extreme financial pressure caused by his “pathological” gambling addiction.

Rocky Pereira, 39, faced Wodonga County Court on Thursday, and pleaded guilty to arson, attempt to obtain financial advantage by deception, and obtaining financial advantage by deception.

Pereira owned RM Fresh cafe on the corner of Stanley and High streets with his de facto partner in 2018.

Crown Prosecutor Jaclyn Dunham told the court that on July 16, 2018, the accused was seen on CCTV footage entering the lane way from Stanley St about 3.44am.

Pereira used a key to enter the electrical room, which powered the entire complex, and poured a Powerade bottle full of petrol on the ground near the door.

The court heard he then forced the door to the open allowing oxygen into the room and ignited the fuel causing a fire.

Then about 6.20am the following morning, Pereira turned up for work as usual and acted shocked about the fire after he was approached by the CFA and police who were on the scene.

Damages to the cafe and surrounding businesses totalled almost $150,000.

Between July 16 and July 17, Pereira lodged a claimed through Lanyon Partners Insurance Brokers via CGU insurance for the fire damage.

But investigations revealed RM Fresh was more than $16,000 in debt, and the business had not paid any rent since opening in February 2018, providing a false document in order to defer the debt.

The court heard fire investigators determined the fire had been deliberately lit.

Pereira was arrested on July 27, 2018.

Pereira’s defence barrister said his client’s actions had been motivated by financial difficulties, and not violence, as his business was doing poorly, and he was losing about $7000 a week on the pokies at the time.

The defence said after growing up in Sri Lanka, Pereira had moved to Australia where he ran a successful salad bar with his former partner for many years.

He then sold the business and opened RM Fresh.

However during this time Pereira discovered the pokies and developed a gambling addiction, wracking up a $120,000 gambling debt.

Mr Pereira’s barrister said he has his gambling addiction under control and works 70 hours at two jobs; Fallon Street Takeaway and Wilhei Pastoral Company.

Both of his employers provided the court with references.

The defence said Pereira knew how he had impacted the other business in the complex, and that he had betrayed his friends.

He said his client often became teary and was very sorry for what he had done.

While the defence suggested a Community Corrections Order as punishment for Pereira’s offending, Judge Frank Gucciardo said a straight CCO would not be enough.

Judge Gucciardo said Pereira could be looking at a mixed sentence, including time in custody.

Pereira will appear back in Wodonga County Court on May 7 for sentencing.