Frankston Magistrates Court: Zaher Alizada to remain in custody after arrest over fires

A man arrested in relation to a series of fires across Frankston has been slapped with a bizarre charge after an unusual find.

Two ducklings were allegedly found in a man’s underwear in Frankston. File photo.

A man charged with lighting a series of fires across Frankston was allegedly found by police with live ducklings in his underwear.

Zaher Alizada appeared before Frankston Magistrates Court on Monday after his arrest at 9pm on Sunday.

He was charged with lighting a series of “open air” fires in Frankston’s CBD near houses and a shopping centre that placed people in danger of serious injury.

When he was arrested in Park Lane, Frankston he was allegedly carrying two live ducklings in his underwear.

The alleged act likely subjected the ducklings to “unnecessary pain and suffering” and led to Mr Alizada being charged with animal cruelty.

Police also alleged Mr Alizada had a jet lighter, gas lighter and matches, assorted crystal rocks, drug use implements, tobacco and a torch.

Earlier on Monday police said up to a dozen small bin, grass and rubbish fires were allegedly lit at:

• a loading dock in Keys St

• Olsen St behind a school

• a shop carpark in Young St

• a real estate agent carpark

• outside a business along Nepean Highway, and

• bin fires in Ross Smith Ave and Kananook Creek Boulevard.

During his brief appearance Mr Alizada stood in the dock in a quarantine suit and grunted loudly.

The court heard Mr Alizada had previously been diagnosed with schizophrenia and his lawyer was unable to communicate properly with him.

Magistrate Julian Ayers said if Mr Alizada was unable to communicate he would have to be remanded in custody.

“If you’re not able to speak with me today I have little choice but to remand you into custody and hopefully you can get some legal advice,” he said.

Mr Alizada then asked what he was charged with.

Mr Ayres said the charges related to “lighting fires”.

The court was told it was not clear if Mr Alizada was medicated or possibly going through withdrawal.

Mr Alizada was remanded in custody to return to the same court at a later date.