Arrest over fire at Dane Swan’s South Melbourne pub
LATEST: A BUILDER destroyed a pub part-owned by Collingwood champion Dane Swan because he needed more time to finish the renovations, a court has heard.
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A BUILDER destroyed a pub part-owned by Collingwood champion Dane Swan because he needed more time to finish the renovations, a court has heard.
Andrew McMahon, 47, allegedly admitted to police he torched the Albion Hotel in South Melbourne a little over a week before he was scheduled to complete extensive renovations to the iconic building.
Mr McMahon, who was tonight granted bail without opposition by police, allegedly told police he snuck into the pub and lit the fire as his October 15 deadline approached.
The York St hotel was destroyed in the fire on October 5 last year.
He faces one charge of intentionally and without lawful excuse destroying the hotel and neighbouring buildings belonging to Albert Park Leisure.
“I was in a panic, I just needed a couple of weeks for the build. I’m truly sorry,” he allegedly told police.
The Melbourne Magistrates Court heard damage to the hotel and its neighbouring building was estimated at more than $5.1 million.
Detective Sen-Constable Adam Burnett alleged the father of two climbed into the hotel at 5.55am by using a scissor lift to enter the beer garden.
Once inside, he allegedly set fire to timber, starting a roaring fire which spread next door.
Sen-Constable Burnett said police had a “strong” case against Mr McMahon, claiming the builder made full admissions to the crime.
Despite not opposing bail, he said police feared he may abscond to his homeland in Scotland and asked he refrain from trying to leave the country.
Mr McMahon’s lawyer Kieran Reynolds told the court his client was currently in the process of completing two further projects and had been in business for about five years.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Jelana Popovic said she had no issue granting Mr McMahon bail, noting his lack of prior convictions, family status and stable address.
She ordered he report to police weekly and not leave the country.
He will return to court on October 5.
Mr McMahon was arrested this morning at Malvern by Port Phillip Crime Investigation Unit detectives.
The hotel’s owners also include retired Melbourne Storm players Robbie Kearns and Danny Williams, gym operator Mark Armstrong, and respected nightclub promoter Ben Vague.
The hotel, once the site of renowned nightclub Motel, was due to become one of Melbourne’s hottest nightspots.
