Tiara Madison Cox, 24, granted home detention bail after alleged arson attack on Pennington gift shop

A court has heard she was already on bail when she allegedly set fire to a gift shop – in what police believe was a targeted attack linked to SA’s illicit tobacco trade.

An alleged arsonist linked to Adelaide’s illicit tobacco trade has been released on bail after she was accused of burning down a Pennington “gift shop” in October last year.

On Thursday, Tiara Madison Cox, 24, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court charged with one court of arson, for what was described by her defence counsel as “the latest instalment” of an ongoing home detention application.

Sean Nottle, for Ms Cox, submitted the proposed bail address had been deemed suitable and wasn’t opposed by the prosecution.

Chief Magistrate Mary Louise Hribal granted the application and allowed Ms Cox to reside at a Gawler South property on home detention bail.

The fire is believed to be linked to Operation Eclipse. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

“Ms Cox, you’re going to be released on home detention bail – it’s the strictest form of bail and you must be extremely careful,” she said.

“If you breach it, you will return to custody and might find it difficult to get back out.”

Ms Cox was arrested last November and denied bail at her first appearance after police prosecutors told the court they were opposed due to her already being on bail for similar offending.

She was arrested by SA Police’s special task force into the illicit tobacco market, which was investigating the arson attack on Addison Rd.

On October 15, just before 5am, a vehicle was driven into the front of a gift shop, causing significant damage to the building’s structure.

A vehicle was allegedly driven into the front of the shop. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

After the crash, the shop – which had smoking accessories visible on shelves – was damaged further when a mattress at the front of the business was doused in an accelerant and set alight.

A court previously heard Ms Cox – who is yet to enter any pleas – would contest the charges due to an “issue” of identity.

“From the facts of charge provided, ID is clearly an issue, it seems that Ms Cox has become a suspect through text messages on the victim’s phone, these haven’t been provided,” Mr Nottle said at his client’s first appearance.

“None of the clothes described in the CCTV has been located or connected to Ms Cox.

“There is a description of a dark patch on the inside of the left arm on the CCTV, which police say is consistent with the tattoo on Ms Cox’s arm, but that seems to be the extent of the connection.”

Ms Cox will return to court in April.

Originally published as Tiara Madison Cox, 24, granted home detention bail after alleged arson attack on Pennington gift shop