Bail change for arson ’ringleader’

THE ALLEGED ringleader of a group of firebugs who lit a blaze that caused $7 million in damage to a Gold Coast private school had his bail conditions varied so that he can contact his friends.

Mermaid Beach resident Paul Hamstra appeared in the Southport Magistrates Court yesterday for the second time in relation to a fire which destroyed the theatre and several classrooms at St Andrews Lutheran College on Tallebudgera Creek Rd in April 2016.

Represented by defence solicitor Chris Nyst, Hamstra applied for changes to his bail conditions which also included the ending of a curfew.

“Ringleader seems to be too highly phrased but it appears he is still the one with the lighter fluid,” Mr Nyst said.

Police prosecutor argued the bail conditions which meant Hamstra could not contact witnesses of the incident or co-accused Harrison Rogers, Blake Coleman and Jackson Plass should not be varied because they had agreed not to talk about the offence which could divert the course of justice.

Magistrate Kay Philipson said the situation between those involved had changed because they had all provided statements to police. Ms Philipson removed Hamstra’s noncontact bail condition.