Murat Shomshe fronts court over tobacco store firebombings

A Finks bikie involved in a string of firebombings of tobacco stores across Melbourne blamed his offending on his brother’s death and drug abuse.

A Finks bikie’s claim that his brother’s death was partly to blame for his involvement in a string of firebombings of tobacco stores across Melbourne has been challenged in court.

Murat Shomshe pleaded guilty to two charges of arson and one of committing an offence while on bail when he appeared in the County Court on Wednesday.

The 42-year-old from Werribee was one of five men charged early this year over a series of arson attacks on Christmas Day last year, believed to be linked to Melbourne’s tobacco wars.

Others arrested were Stan Zanakas, 30, of Templestowe, Albion’s Nicholas Kirby, 32, Ben Valerio, 37, from Point Cook and Bailey Hobbs, 23, of Sunshine West.

Valerio will enter a plea on Thursday while the others are expected to appear in November and December.

Four tobacco stores and a cafe in Altona, Altona North, Croydon, Moe and Sunshine were targeted in late December and January, with one Altona tobacco store targeted twice in as many nights.

Stan Zanakas of Templestowe was one of five men arrested over a spate of firebombings of tobacco stores across Melbourne.

Prosecutor Jessica Hotchkin told the court that while Shomshe was not directly involved in the firebombings, he instigated them by being in frequent contact through text messages with alleged co-offender Mr Zanakas.

Defence lawyer Melissa Mahady said Shomshe attributed his offending to the daily use of ice and the trauma of witnessing his twin brother being shot dead in Kosovo when he was 12.

Shomshe began using cannabis at the age of about 15 and later started taking ice during a difficult period in life, she submitted.

Murat Shomshe has admitted his role in a spate of firebombings of tobacco stores across Melbourne.

Ms Mahady said Shomshe has been diagnosed with PTSD and his marriage failed due to substance abuse.

When Ms Hotchkin said the loss of Shomshe’s brother had never been mentioned in his court appearances over the years, Ms Mahady said his sister could come and give evidence on the issue.

Shomshe will be back in court on Friday for further plea.