Police: DNA from dropped glove key to brothel arson

POLICE allege a glove found at the scene of a brothel fire contained DNA belonging to an alleged bikie associate.

The fire at Silks on Upton at Bundall in the early hours of November 20 last year caused more than $1.2m damage.

Shannon James, 44, was charged on Thursday with arson, failing to comply with Covid-19 health directions and possessing dangerous drugs.

James was in isolation in the Southport Watchhouse on Friday when his lawyer Chris Hannay, of Hannay Lawyers, asked the Southport Magistrates Court to adjourn the case until September 15. Mr Hannay said he needed time for the allegations put forward by police “to be assessed” before making a bail application.

Police will allege James and another man went to the Bundall brothel about 4.30am on November 20 last year in a silver Honda. The pair are accused of taking two 20-litre fuel drums from the boot of the car and dousing the exits of the building. CCTV shows one man igniting the fuel and his hands catching on fire. Police allege that man was James.

It will be alleged a right hand, black-and-red glove was left at the scene and DNA belonging to James was found inside the glove.

Police will also allege a business James was contracted to work for sold fuel drums from the same manufacturer as those found at the scene and James’ mobile phone was connecting to towers close to the brothel about the time of the fire.

Police claim Google Maps photographed the car seen in the CCTV footage parked across from James’ Burleigh Waters home in March.

Police are still searching for the second man.

Police will also allege James and his partner Renee Wright breached quarantine directions by going to Sydney on September 5 to 7 and not quarantining on return.

The pair parked one car on the NSW side of the border and walked to a second car in Queensland, it will be alleged.

Ms Wright is in hotel quarantine.