Benjamin Frederick Sutherland: Alleged hotel firebug surrenders to Southport Magistrates Court
A man who police allege started a fire at a Surfers Paradise hotel amid a mental health and substance abuse meltdown has had a warrant for his arrest cancelled after surrendering to the court at Southport.
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A man who police allege started a fire at a Surfers Paradise hotel amid a mental health and substance abuse meltdown has had a warrant for his arrest cancelled after surrendering to the court at Southport.
Mountain Creek man Benjamin Frederick Sutherland, 44, appeared in Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday to surrender, a warrant having previously been issued for his arrest after the defendant unexpectedly failed to appear for a recent court date.
Defence lawyer Troy Smith successfully had the warrant recalled and cancelled, with his client next listed to appear on July 10.
Mr Smith said he was still awaiting disclosure of certain prosecution materials before advancing the case.
Mr Sutherland is charged with four counts of wilful damage, and endangering a property by fire.
Police allege Mr Sutherland started a fire on the seventh floor of a hotel on the Gold Coast Hwy at Surfers Paradise on the evening of October 24, 2024.
This masthead reported at the time the fire caused sprinklers on the fifth, sixth and seventh floors to activate, and left a damage bill totalling about $100,000.
Mr Sutherland was arrested at the scene.
His bail application on November 4 was told there was a “relatively strong” case against Mr Sutherland, with police believing his alleged crimes were driven by mental health and substance abuse issues.
Mr Smith, who represented the defendant at the bail application also, told the court previously his client’s relapse was driven by his ill mother dying while he was on his way to the Gold Coast to see her.
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Originally published as Benjamin Frederick Sutherland: Alleged hotel firebug surrenders to Southport Magistrates Court
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