One of the regrettable, and I suppose, inevitable, truths about the Victorian bushfires, is that some of the fires were undoubtedly deliberately lit.

Now, one alleged arsonist has been arrested and charged by police.   Brendan Sokaluk, 39, of Churchill, is alleged to have deliberately started the fire at Churchill in Victoria’s Gippsland region.  This fire has killed 21 people and burnt out more than 30,000 hectares.  The arson charge against him carries a maximum penalty of 25 years, with a related bushfire charge carrying a maximum penalty of 15 years. 

A couple of things I find amusing about Sokaluk’s arrest and charging:

1. the bonus “possessing child pornography” charge they slugged him with – as if being a murderous firebug isn’t bad enough, he is also now tagged as a kiddy fiddling sicko
2. the fact that his name is made public but publication of his address is suppressed – as if 2 seconds research by anyone couldn’t figure that out, and the locals are sure to be pointing out to anyone who asks where he lives.

Of course, now the man is charged and named, we have the usual vigilante reaction with all sorts of threats being made against him.  He was whisked out of Morwell on Friday as enraged locals pounded on the doors of the police van, has been brought to Melbourne for his own safety and to defuse the community backlash in Gippsland.  Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon had warned people not to threaten Mr Sokaluk, despite emotions running high after last week’s devastating bushfires. She said:

"Coming to court and protesting is not an appropriate thing to do,”

"Obviously, we will make sure this person is well protected.”

“We hope that we don’t have to deal with a gang of people who are angry and concerned about this arrest. We know people are.”

"We will make sure he is protected and can go before the justice system, as he should, and be dealt with through that process.”

Apparently his mother and brother have left their Gippsland home, fearing for their safety after Sokaluk’s name became public knowledge.

(sorry, couldn’t resist the image – is it possible to find a more representative picture of a feral redneck bogan from Morwell, or Moe, than this guy? He’s got the lot, mullet, flanno shirt, beanie and dirty tracky dacks)

Of course, someone who goes around lighting bushfires is bound to be some sort of nutcase, and details emerging about Sokaluk certainly suggest this.  Among other things:

• he was rejected as a Country Fire Authority volunteer fireman
• neighbours say he often lit fires in his backyard
• he was rejected recently by a girlfriend
• his writings on social networking sites suggest he is poorly educated and barely literate
• he once worked as a gardener, and is now a scrap metal collector
• he was pre-occupied with falling in love and getting married.
• he was an oddball loner, according to acquaintances
• he had a “bit of an unusual” personality.

So, Brendan Sokaluk looks to be some sort of weirdo.  Maybe the type who gets his jollies by lighting fires.  But the people threatening him and his family need to calm down.  His guilt still has to be established -  this is what the criminal justice system is supposed to do, in good time.  If he’s guilty I do hope he gets 40 years in jail (although I suspect that if guilty any sentences for different crimes will run concurrently and he might get 25 years).  Personally, if guilty I’m all for dropping him out of a helicopter into the middle of the next available bushfire. But that doesn’t need to happen right now, and while his guilt is unproved.

When he was charged and remanded in custody last week, his lawyer stated he was in a very mentally fragile state.  I’m sure his mental state will come out in his defence when he gets to court.  I’d hope it doesn’t carry too much weight in the trial and sentencing (if guilty) … at the end of the day he exercised free choices to do what he is alleged to have done, and should bear full responsibility.  I just don’t buy that someone could be driven by things completely outside their control to do evil things like he is claimed to have done.  He would have had a certain level of control and discretion.

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