Petrol used in alleged arson attack on FriendlyJordies’ home, court documents reveal

Petrol was used to burn the home of online comedian FriendlyJordies the second time arsonists targeted it in less than a week, court documents reveal.

Petrol was used in an arson attack on the Sydney eastern suburbs home of FriendlyJordies in what was the second attempt to burn the comedian’s house in a week, court documents have revealed.

The Bondi home of Jordan Shanks, better known as FriendlyJordies, was targeted in two deliberately-lit fires in November 2022.

Mr Shanks was not home when it was set alight for the second time on November 22, with the fire burning the veranda, the front door and front bedroom.

His home was deemed uninhabitable due to the damage while a neighbouring property also sustained smoke damage.

Andre Stepanyan, 38, was in June charged over his alleged role in the second blaze and is accused of having been one of three men who were involved in setting fire to the property.

He has been charged with destroying property in company using fire and participating in a criminal group and was earlier this month released on bail following an application to the NSW Supreme Court.

Police have alleged he was a member of an outlaw motorcycle gang, however the court heard that he claimed he was never a fully patched member.

Jordan Shanks aka FriendlyJordies. Source: YouTube

Andre Stepanyan was charged over the second fire. Picture: Supplied/Instagram.

As well, his solicitor Bianca Barnes told a court earlier this month he had since “disassociated” from the gang.

According to allegations contained in a statement of police facts tendered to the Supreme Court, it is alleged that Mr Stepanyan, his co-accused Tufi Junior Tauese-Auelua and another man, who is yet to be identified, set fire to Mr Shanks’ home just after midnight on November 23.

It’s alleged that on the evening of November 22, 2022, Stepanyan drove his white Holden Caprice sedan to Rhodes where he met up with a group of men.

They then drove in his car to the Bondi area where they switched vehicles to a stolen black Mercedes, which had cloned plates.

Police have alleged that just after midnight three men - including Mr Stepanyan - got out of the stolen car and “poured a liquid accelerant over a table on the veranda” of Mr Shanks’ Bondi home, setting it alight.

Three men were seen running from the scene, into the Mercedes Benz and the alarm was sparked when a resident woke due to the smell of smoke.

One resident tried to put out the fire using a garden hose but emergency services had to be called when the flames got out of control.

Jordan Shanks’ Bondi home was damaged in the attack. Picture: NewsWire/David Swift.

Jordan Shanks’ home was targeted into two arson attacks. Picture: NewsWire/Damian Shaw.

Mr Stepanyan was arrested in June and the court heard the matter may not go to trial until October next year.

He has yet to enter pleas.

The home was deemed uninhabitable due to the damage and a neighbouring property also sustained smoke damage.

A forensic analysis found traces of petrol at the scene and when the Mercedes Benz was found abandoned, a bottle containing a small amount of petrol was found inside.

Shanks’ home was first damaged on November 17.

Shanks woke to a bright light outside his loungeroom window after his doormat had been set alight, according to court documents.

He used water to put out the small fire and reported it to police the following day.

There were also scorch marks inside his bathroom, an open window and burnt out sparklers were found at the scene.

Justice Sarah McNaughton earlier this month agreed to release Mr Stepanyan on conditional bail including that he be of good behaviour, report to police daily and abide by home detention.

He must also not go within a kilometre of the crime scene, not use encrypted apps and not enter any point of international departure.

He will return to court in November.

Originally published as Petrol used in alleged arson attack on FriendlyJordies’ home, court documents reveal