The hunt for a firebug accused of lighting up a woman’s home, then his car, then her car, has led police to the bedrooms of an Oak Flats brothel.
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Dale Andrew Morley was arrested at Industrial Road ‘escort agency’ Blue Angels Sunday evening, having allegedly left a trail of blackened fire spots in his wake.
Police will allege Morley was drunk and in breach of an AVO when he earlier visited his de facto’s Mimosa Way, Barrack Heights home to collect his car.
He arrived about 1pm and allegedly refused to leave when asked, allegedly in breach of a court order that prohibits him from coming near the woman within 12 hours of consuming alcohol.
He fell asleep at the property, then awoke and agreed to leave. But soon afterwards the woman noticed the smell of what she believed to be petrol.
According to police documents tendered to Wollongong Local Court on Monday, she looked outside and saw Morley outside the property, holding a piece of burning cardboard against the home.
“He appeared to be attempting to set the side of the victim’s house on fire,” police allege.
The woman screamed and summoned a neighbour, according to police documents.
After putting the fire out, she noticed Morley’s own car was alight, and also extinguished that blaze.
Police will allege Morley took the woman’s car keys and, ignoring her protests, drove away in her green Imprezza. The woman phoned police. As they were driving to her home they were alerted to a car on fire on Industrial Road.
Police found the Imprezza there, burnt out beyond repair.
Meantime, early inquiries led police to a property two doors down.
According to police documents, officers entered the business “and found the accused in one of the rooms, in the process of having sexual intercourse with a prostitute”.
Morley was arrested and charged with contravening an AVO, taking and driving a conveyance without consent, and two counts of damaging property by fire.
He sought bail at court on Monday, citing concerns about his ability to tend to a leg infection, which requires daily dressing changes, while in custody.
He pledged to return to his family home and comply with the apprehended violence order.
Magistrate Chris McRobert refused bail, noting the prosecution’s concerns about the safety of the woman, and the community.
The magistrate further noted Morley’s failure to comply with previous court orders and the likelihood he will face a custodial sentence if convicted.
“The prosecution case seems to be strong to the point of overwhelming,” he said.
The matter returns to court on February 7.
