Donald Church: Drunk grandfather allegedly ignited seven scrub fires in Shelley to ‘open up the view’

A drunk grandfather accused of starting seven scrub fires in the early hours of the new year allegedly told police he had engaged in the seven-hour arson spree to “open up the view”. Donald Gordon Church looked physically unwell at his appearance in Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday, remaining slumped, eyes downcast, for most of his hearing. The 63-year-old, who appeared from custody, applied unsuccessfully for bail, with Magistrate Matthew Walton telling him and the duty lawyer representing him the risk to the public was too high. Mr Church, from Willyung, was highly intoxicated when it is claimed he lit seven fires along Riverton Drive North in Shelley. The first of the fires was lit about 1am on Monday. The court was told a patch of scrub spanning 4m x 2m was left scorched after the Department of Fire and Emergency Services extinguished the blaze. When questioned, it’s alleged Mr Church said: “I thought I would open up the view”. About 50 minutes after the first one, another fire was lit, burning 5m x 5m of bushland near Modillion Avenue North in Shelley. About 2.20am, another scrub fire of a similar size was lit near Watersby Crescent, which again required the attention of firefighters. Two hours later, another blaze started, this one razing a patch of bush spanning 20m x 5m near Zenith Street in Shelley. Three more fires were then lit near Modillion Avenue North between 5.30am and 6.50am. The court was told when Mr Church was arrested by Cannington police at an address in Shelley some time later, he was wearing similar clothing as a man captured on CCTV in the area. Because of his level of intoxication, Mr Church, who police say had a lighter in his possession, was then taken to hospital. He was charged with seven counts of wilfully lighting a fire likely to injure or damage. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison if convicted. The police prosecutor, who opposed bail in court on Tuesday, said lighting fires in summer in Australia was “some of the most egregious offending out there”. “What would drive a man to light fires in an Australian summer?” he said. Mr Walton agreed. “These are not insignificant areas of fire spread,” he said. “And these offences are regarded as extremely serious. “No one could have any doubt the potential harm (that can be caused by fire in WA).” The police prosecutor described Mr Church’s alleged offending as “protracted” and “persistent”, and extremely risky. “Its only good luck . . . that this didn’t become a serious serious incident, obviously more than it already is,” he said, adding police had concerns for Mr Church’s mental health. The duty lawyer told the court it was accepted that the alleged offending was serious, but pointed out Mr Church had an “extremely limited record” that dated back all the way to 1985, when he was convicted for speeding. He argued there were conditions that could be put in place to minimise the potential risks to the community, including a curfew, a surety, and the surrendering of his passport. Mr Church, who has been working as a security officer for the past two years, was also described as a “family man” with one grandchild, and another on the way. The duty lawyer said the man was diagnosed with depression and had a prescription for medication to stop him from consuming alcohol. He said since his arrest, Mr Church planned to resume taking that medication, which he had recently stopped using, and to seek medical and psychological help. Mr Walton said the alleged offending “could not be downplayed or misunderstood to be anything other than utterly reckless and overwhelmingly dangerous to property and life. “I do not wish to use grandiose . . . outlandish language,” Mr Walton said. (But) . . . given the stark and inherently egregious nature of the offences . . . and given the alleged circumstances . . . the grant of bail (is) utterly inappropriate.” Mr Church was refused bail and is scheduled to reappear on February 13.