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Prosecutors said the case against Stepanyan was strengthened by surveillance equipment material and phone records showing he was “near the crime scene and in contact with co-suspects,” while CCTV showed “the vehicle involved in the crime was also in the same vicinity.”
He said there were also “witnesses who saw multiple offenders fleeing the scene”.
The prosecutor said Stepanyan, who was on conditional bail for other serious violent crimes and had multiple warrants issued for his arrest in the past, opposed bail because he was concerned Stepanyan would reoffend, endanger safety or fail to appear in court.
Alice Nguyen, a Legal Aid lawyer, said Stepanyan, who appeared in court via video link, faced “very serious charges.”
But she said the alleged arson took place in November 2022 and Stepanyan, who has been on strict bail on other charges since September 2023, had not violated the rules, which include effective house arrest and not being able to leave the house without a parent reporting to police every day.
His job as a truck driver ended as a result, she said.
Nguyen said similar strict conditions could be imposed in his latest case to reduce any risk, and he has offered a $500 bond, and if he does plead in the matter, he will remain in custody for months until a final determination is made. She noted that Stephanian has medical conditions, including a broken collarbone.
Magistrate Catherine Frente said that based on the facts alleged by police, Stepanyan “was a member of an outlaw motorcycle gang” and his “criminal associates are certainly relevant to his bail application.”
She said Stepanyan had a history of violent behavior and the case against him for arson was “quite strong.”
She noted: “The prosecution will rely on identification evidence, CCTV evidence and telecommunications evidence relating to the vehicle in question and the routes taken to and from the location.”
Fluent said some form of imprisonment was inevitable if Stepanyan was found guilty.
She refused bail because of the unacceptable risk he posed and adjourned his case to Waverley Local Court next Wednesday.
this The Herald Shanks previously reported that he had received death threats, forcing him to delete a video. In February, Shanks posted a statement on his website saying: “You win, we will delete the video.”
“Congratulations. You run this city.”
Shanks did not name any individuals or groups in his statement.
The controversial YouTuber has been posting videos in recent months, with his latest video criticising a Sky News documentary released three days ago, garnering more than 300,000 views. His channel has more than 1.3 million subscribers.
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