Taylah Hellmuth-Hassett allegedly told police her offending could be put down to a ‘drug bender’

A Flemington woman claims her alleged crime spree that ended in an arson attack in Mildura was the result of a drug bender.

Taylah Hellmuth-Hassett was denied bail at Ballarat magistrates Court for her alleged role in the attack on Ziga Gift smoke shop in Mildura

A woman claims her alleged crime spree that ended in an arson attack in Mildura was the result of a drug bender.

Flemington’s Taylah Hellmuth-Hassett, 23, fronted Ballarat Magistrates’ Court for her alleged role in Tuesday’s attack on Ziga Gift on Lime Ave in Mildura sporting a head injury.

Police say the accused admitted to being present at the alleged arson attack on a Mildura smoke shop, but told police she didn’t know the attack was going to occur.

The court heard Ms Hellmuth-Hasett and her co-accused had also allegedly committed several aggravated burglaries across the state, stealing several cars in the lead up to, and following, the alleged arson.

It was claimed in court the cigarette shop was rammed by a vehicle before an accelerant was poured throughout the store and set ablaze

Police told the court that mobile phone records confirmed the accused was in Mildura at the time of the attack.

Two of the allegedly stolen cars, including a Subaru Outback and a Range Rover, were allegedly used in the arson attack on the Mildura tobacconist.

Magistrate Mark Stratmann admitted the alleged offending was, “extremely serious,” but called the case against Ms Hellmuth-Hassett, “circumstantial,” at this point in time.

Mr Stratmann also said the fact that further forensic and DNA testing was likely to be needed, along with mobile phone analysis.

Ms Hellmuth-Hassett was denied bail and will next appear in court on June 27.