Mildura Magistrates’ Court: Tyler Allen pleads guilty to arson

A Mildura arsonist who started a bushfire in Bendigo in the middle of summer told police he would “rather die in the flames than go to jail”.

Tyler Allen pleads guilty to arson and more in Mildura Magistrates’ Court after telling police he would ‘die in the flames’. Picture: generic / Glenn Campbell

An arsonist who started a bushfire in central Victoria in the middle of summer told police he would “rather die in the flames than get locked up” for his “catastrophic” offending.

Tyler Allen, 23, pleaded guilty in Mildura Magistrates’ Court on October 17 to charges of theft, arson, damaging property and two charges of failing to answer bail.

The court heard that on January 21, Allen stole a firelighter from the Champions IGA in Long Gully, Bendigo, and was later caught on CCTV bending down to set fire to long grass by the side of the road.

Allen hung around to watch his dangerous handiwork before he phoned Triple-0 to report the fire under a false name.

Allen remained at the scene until the CFA arrived and got the fire under control.

After a social media campaign from police, Allen turned himself in and made a full confession, saying he called 000 because he was “scared the nearby building” would catch fire.

The court heard Allen told police he would “rather die in the flames than get locked up” for his offending.

Tyler Allen remained at the scene of his crime until the CFA arrived. Picture: Supplied

In court on Tuesday, Magistrate Patrick Southey slammed the arsonist for lighting a fire in the middle of summer.

“What were you thinking? Lighting fires in bushland in Bendigo is extremely dangerous,” he said.

“This was a potentially catastrophic event and I wouldn’t want this to happen again.”

Allen told the court he was planning on moving to Perth with his girlfriend in order to get away from the reminders of his offending.

“Around that time my mental health was struggling,” he said.

“I’m doing much better now and I’m just trying to get my life sorted.”

Mr Southey wished Allen well, and ordered him to comply with a 12 month good behaviour bond.

“You’re drifting along a bit at the moment,” he said.

“A fresh start could be just what you need.”