When Ilona Ambrus arrived at the property where she had hoped to spend her final days following a terminal cancer diagnosis, she found her home reduced to ashes.
She co-owned the expansive bush block with her husband, Craig Leith. The pair had separated following domestic violence and had reciprocal Apprehended Violence Orders against each other. Leith had temporarily moved into the home but was served a notice to vacate order by Ambrus’ lawyers the week before the fire as she had taken over the mortgage.
Ilona Ambrus, who had terminal cancer, arrived at her property to find it destroyed by fire. There is a warrant out for her former husband’s arrest.Credit:
Ambrus spent the final months of her life undergoing chemotherapy while living in a caravan and a hut on the charred property in NSW’s Southern Tablelands. She died with ovarian cancer in February, aged 60, and was survived by her mother and three children.
A warrant is out for Leith’s arrest, with NSW Police confirming they have charged Leith with arson over the “suspicious” fire. He was convicted in absence of several other domestic violence charges and has moved to New Zealand.
Leith denies involvement in the fire, alleging Ambrus orchestrated it, and said he plans to sue NSW Police over his charges.
Ambrus’ family say the property could have been spared had previous instances of domestic violence been taken more seriously by police, with Ambrus incorrectly labelled the perpetrator.
‘Building tension’ and ‘continuing conflict’
Leith and Ambrus separated in late 2022 after a series of alleged domestic violence incidents following Ambrus’ 2021 cancer diagnosis.
Ilona Ambrus spent the last months of her life in temporary accommodation before dying in February at age 60.Credit:
Leith, 58, had called the police over Ambrus’ cannabis plants, which she told police she used to assist with cancer-related pain, while Ambrus’ children called police concerned that Leith was psychologically abusing her, court documents show.
‘The police kept telling them they were as bad as each other … but she was too sick to do anything.’
Ilona Ambrus’ mother, Caroline Ambrus
Each was issued with an apprehended violence order; however, the one protecting Leith was later removed. Leith’s guns were seized.
Ambrus later pleaded guilty to one count of domestic-related assault and two cannabis charges, but her convictions were dismissed.
Leith was convicted in absence of domestic violence assault, assault occasioning bodily harm and breaching his AVO after moving to New Zealand.
Ambrus’ mother, Caroline Ambrus, has submitted several complaints to the police and Law Enforcement Conduct Commission, alleging Ambrus was incorrectly identified as a domestic violence perpetrator by police and not adequately protected.
Ilona Ambrus’ mother, Caroline Ambrus, and her children James and Rhiannon and Samantha (not pictured) Lawrence want Craig Leith to face his charges in Australia.Credit: Martin Ollman
During one incident in which Leith was later convicted of breaching his AVO, Ambrus told police she was forced to smash a window of their home because Leith had locked her out in cold weather, according to court documents.
In court documents, Ambrus also states she threw a metal tool at Leith during a “tussle” after Leith became “enraged”, causing a cut and bruising.
“The police kept telling them they were as bad as each other … but she was too sick to do anything,” Caroline said.
Court documents show police found there were “ongoing and building tensions” between the two, noting the “conflicting versions” of the fights.
Leith maintains Ambrus was the main perpetrator of domestic violence.
Notice to vacate
After the separation, Ambrus remained in the home, paying the mortgage. She vacated in June 2023 after Leith attended the property to sell a bulldozer and allegedly refused to leave.
There is a warrant for Craig Leith’s arrest after police charged him with arson.Credit: Facebook
Ambrus’ lawyers later requested that he vacate the property by the end of July.
However, by August 1, there was nothing left to vacate. Ambrus arrived at the Bombay property with her son, James Lawrence, to find firefighters extinguishing the blaze.
“Mum was hysterical. The whole place was burned to the ground,” Lawrence said.
The property was not insured after premiums surged following the 2019 bushfires.
Lawrence said three separate fires had been lit in the home and in two storage containers, which sat about 30 metres apart. Leith’s belongings had been packed up and placed in a caravan, and his car parked away from the blaze.
He was found near the property and taken to a mental health facility in nearby Goulburn. After his discharge, Ambrus and Caroline paid for Leith to return to New Zealand.
“I just wanted him gone,” Caroline said.
Police search for Leith
Leith’s court documents state he has no memory of the day of the fire.
He told this masthead he was drugged, and that Ambrus orchestrated the fire. He also believed Ambrus was the main perpetrator of violence.
Three separate fires were allegedly lit at Ilona Ambrus and Craig Leith’s property.Credit:
He said he was aware of the warrant against him and planned to return to Australia and sue NSW Police.
A spokesperson confirmed that Leith allegedly failed to appear in court in September 2023 after being charged with destroying/damaging property by fire and contravening a prohibition/restriction in an AVO.
“Inquiries are continuing into the man’s whereabouts and anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers,” the spokesperson said.
If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline 131 114, or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636. The men’s referral service is on 1300 766 491.
The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.