Melbourne synagogue arsonist released after 134 days in solitary confinement
A homeless man who spent 134 days in solitary confinement after setting fire to a Melbourne synagogue has been released on bail by a magistrate who labelled his detention conditions “disgraceful”.
Angelo Loras, 35, appeared in court on Monday, 17 November, and pleaded guilty to arson and recklessly endangering life following the incident at the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation on July 4, which resulted in $54,000 worth of damage.
Angelo Loras was arrested by counter-terrorism police following the arson attack. (Victoria Police)
The case, initially treated as a potential anti-terrorist matter and condemned by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other political figures, was redefined when Magistrate Malcolm Thomas ruled the attack was not motivated by hate.
The court heard that up to 20 people were inside the synagogue for evening Shabbat services when Loras set the building alight. Police reports confirm he was arrested by counter-terrorism officers the next day.
Loras advised authorities during questioning that he was unaware the building was a place of worship, believing it to be a normal residence.
Magistrate Thomas disclosed that Loras has a long history of severe schizophrenia, including hallucinations where he saw “zombies”. Following psychiatric assessments, prosecutors withdrew two related charges.
East Melbourne Synagogue (X.com)
The magistrate stated that the incident was fundamentally different from the way it had been perceived, stressing that Loras was a man who had been very unwell for a significant period.
Although he acknowledged the profound effect on the local Jewish community, Magistrate Thomas concluded the fire did not meet the criteria for a hate crime.
He issued a stern criticism of prison authorities, calling the 134 days Loras spent in isolation “disgraceful”, noting the man was confined due to concerns over his motive rather than his conduct in custody.
The court heard that Loras’s condition has improved since he began receiving medication while detained.
He was sentenced to time already served and released on a community corrections order that mandates ongoing medical treatment, reflecting the view that integrating him into the community mental health system is in the public interest.
Loras was granted bail on Monday and is scheduled to return to court later this week for the formalisation of his non-custodial sentence.
Would the question of “motive” be brought into consideration with any other criminal act?? And what sort of a message is this giving to the wider community concerning the degree of leniency when other factors are taken into consideration. We are getting to the point where the law means very little in its capacity to deter people from committing offences which have the potential to kill innocent people.