Justin Carthy seeking bail over alleged Cohuna arson
A Hoppers Crossing man accused of helping fire bomb a cigarette shop in Victoria’s north was allegedly recruited by a man police believe is linked to Melbourne’s tobacco wars.
South East
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A Hoppers Crossing dad accused of helping torch a business in northern Victoria was allegedly recruited by a man with links to Melbourne’s tobacco wars.
Justin Carthy on Friday fronted the Supreme Court seeking bail over charges related to an alleged arson attack on a tobacco and gift shop in Cohuna, near the New South Wales border, in July, 2024.
Police are alleging that Mr Carthy and a co-accused made the six hour drive to Cohuna in convoy, travelling in stolen vehicles, before setting the tobacco and gift shop on fire.
An estimated $1.5m damage was done to the tobacco shop and two neighbouring businesses.
The bail application was Mr Carthy’s second attempt at freedom after an earlier bid was denied by Mildura Magistrates Court in August, 2024.
The 37-year-old was supported in court by his mother who offered a $10,000 surety if he was granted bail.
However, the prosecution said there was more that could have been offered as equity.
“The surety of $10,000 is not to be dismissed as a small amount … but the reality is there is significant equity and property available that hasn’t been put up.”
Mr Carthy’s sister appeared via video link and told the court she could offer him work in her cleaning business if he was bailed.
His partner and mother of his one-year-old son also gave evidence via video link in favour of Mr Carthy’s release.
But police informant Detective Senior Constable Matthew Watts from the Luna Taskforce argued that the risk was too great to grant bail given the serious nature of the alleged offending and its link to Melbourne’s ongoing fatal tobacco wars.
“This matter is part of the wider tobacco wars … which have seen significant risks to members of the public, including a fatal shooting that occurred earlier this week of Sam (The Punisher) Abdulrahim, who was widely known to be involved in the tobacco wars,” Senior Constable Watts said.
‘There was another arson on Chapel St this month … the offender suffered significant burns, is still in hospital and unlikely to survive his injuries.”
The court heard that while Mr Carthy was not directly linked to the tobacco wars, his co-accused had been captured on CCTV shortly after the alleged Cohuna arson with “a very well known organised crime entity involved in the ongoing tobacco conflict”.
Justice Andrew Tinney pointed out that Mr Carthy had seven convictions for failing to answer bail for previous offences and had breached bail on six other occasions.
“This is a person who for very many years has shown somewhat of a lack of respect for orders of courts and a lack of respect for the institution of bail,” Justice Tinney said.
“I’m just throwing that out there for consideration.”
When told by Justice Tinney that a decision on the bail application would be adjourned, Carthy told the court he “just wants to get on with things”.
A decision will be made on Tuesday.