Ben Valerio and Stan Zanakas front court over firebombings

The lure of quick cash to fuel his drug addiction prompted the brother of a toddler killed in one of Australia’s most horrific child deaths to firebomb tobacco stores across Victoria.

Ben Valerio of Point Cook, has pleaded guilty to a series of firebombings on tobacco stores across Victoria since Christmas Day in 2023. Picture: Supplied

The brother of a toddler killed in one of Australia’s most horrific child deaths has been jailed for his role in the firebombings of tobacco stores across Victoria.

Ben Valerio fronted the County Court on Thursday after earlier pleading guilty to four charges of arson and was sentenced to a minimum of four years and four months’ imprisonment.

The 37-year-old from Point Cook is the brother of Daniel Valerio who was beaten to death as a two-year-old by their mother’s then boyfriend Paul Aiton in September 1990.

Also appearing in County Court on Thursday was Templestowe man Stan Zanakas who pleaded guilty after accepting a sentence indication on two charges of arson and one of aggravated robbery for his role in the firebombings.

He will appear for a plea hearing on March 31.

A third person, Finks bikie Murat Shomshe, of Werribee, pleaded guilty in October 2024 to two charges of arson and another of committing an offence while on bail.

Judge Peter Lauritsen said shortly after midnight on December 25, 2023 Valerio and Zanakas travelled from Templestowe to Moe and forced entry into a gift shop before setting it on fire.

Stan Zanakas, of Templestowe, has pleaded guilty to two charges of arson and another of aggravated robbery following a sentence indication. Picture: Supplied

The two then drove to Croydon where Valerio set fire to a tobacco store while Zanakas kept watch. On January 9, 2024 Valerio reversed a vehicle into the Wolf Cafe in Altona before others set it on fire.

Two days later, Valerio drove to Freechoice Tobacconist in Altona, kicked the door and used a sledge hammer before he poured an accelerant and set the premises on fire.

The Wolf Cafe in Altona was one of the business premises targeted by Ben Valerio.

Judge Peter Lauritsen said Valerio’s use of ice was heavy before the offending and that the offer of money prompted him to commit the crimes.

“You committed the offences at the behest of others and for financial gain. Your role was very much that of a doer and your motive was payment to buy drugs,” the judge said.

Daniel Valerio’s death has had a profound effect on his older brother Ben Valerio, the County Court heard.

Since 2002, Judge Lauritsen said Valerio had appeared in courts on 22 occasions and on 214 charges and had been jailed seven times.

He said the death of Valerio’s toddler brother has had an impact on him, coupled with him leaving home after an argument with his mum at the age of 17.

Valerio was jailed for a maximum of six years and six months.