Springvale Commonwealth bank blast accused faces further charges
A MAN accused of injuring 27 people when he set himself on fire in a Commonwealth Bank branch says he did not mean to hurt anyone.
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A MAN accused of injuring 27 people when he set himself on fire in a Commonwealth Bank branch says he did not mean to hurt anyone.
Nur Islam, 22, appeared via video link in the Melbourne Magistrates Court today charged with more than 100 offences relating to the November 18 incident at the Springvale bank.
His lawyer told the court he intended to dispute he intentionally caused injuries.
She said he had intended to start a fire, not cause harm to those inside.
She applied to the court to have the matter adjourned for a committal at which she hoped three charges of intentionally cause serious injury would be resolved to recklessly cause serious injury.
More than 30 charges of intentionally cause injury should also be changed to recklessly, she said.
Magistrate Peter Reardon questioned the move, pointing out Mr Islam had poured petrol on the floor and set it alight “with a bank full of people”.
But his lawyer persisted and said: “He intended to start a fire.”
The Myanmar asylum seeker did not say anything while being assisted by a Burmese interpreter throughout the brief proceedings.
Arson squad detectives had initially charged Mr Islam with 92 offences, but the court heard a further 16 charges had been laid in recent weeks.
Among the charges are intentionally and recklessly causing serious injury, arson and conduct endangering life.
Mr Islam spent months in hospital after he suffered burns to 60 per cent of his body.
CCTV footage is expected to be played at the committal on September 19.