Jamain Patrick Anthony Grant: 25yo accused of lighting 12 fires on Geraldton-Mt Magnet Rd remanded in custody

An alleged arsonist accused of lighting 12 fires along Geraldton-Mt Magnet Road — one of which caused nearby power lines to collapse over a train line — and making a threat to kill has been remanded in custody while a Legal Aid application is processed. Jamain Patrick Anthony Grant, 25, appeared in Geraldton Magistrates Court via video link from Hakea Prison on Thursday. He is yet to enter pleas for 12 counts of wilfully lit a fire likely to injure or damage and threatened to kill in circumstances of aggravation. On December 16, Geraldton detectives allege 12 fires were lit on Geraldton-Mt Magnet Road in the suburbs of Ambania — 50km east of Geraldton — Arrowsmith, just south of Dongara, Devils Creek, Wicherina, Tenindewa and Mullewa. More than 2000ha were burnt. Not seeking to enter pleas at this stage, defence lawyer Lauren Roycroft told the court she needed to gather more instructions from Mr Grant before considering a bail application. Due to long wait periods to see Hakea prisoners, Magistrate Kelly Thompson set a 12-week adjournment. Mr Grant spoke out through the video link and said: “what about a bail application?”, but Ms Roycroft explained their initial video link had cut out midway through discussions. The case was adjourned until Thursday, May 2 for a committal mention. Bail was not considered.