Accused firebug `rejected by girlfriend`

The identity of a man charged over a fatal bushfire in Victoria's southeast has been
revealed as his lawyer told a court the case had aroused an unprecedented amount of
anger, emotion and disgust.
Brendan Sokaluk, 39, of Churchill did not appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court
on Monday to face one count of arson causing death, one count of intentionally
lighting a bushfire and one count of possessing child pornography.
The charges relate to the Churchill fire that burnt out more than 30,000 hectares,
killed 10 people and destroyed about 200 homes.
The arson charge alone carries a maximum penalty of 25 years' jail.
Defence lawyer Helen Spowart argued against releasing her client's name, saying he
was in protective custody and his safety was at risk.
"This is an extraordinary case. The level of emotion and anger and disgust that the
alleged offences have aroused in the community is unprecedented," she said.
"He remains in risk while in custody."
Ms Spowart said her client's family in Churchill were also at risk.
Prosecutor Chris Beal said people in the prison community could mount revenge attacks.
He told the court the police investigation was continuing, with 200 witnesses to be
interviewed.
Because of this a longer time than usual time was needed for the crown to serve a
brief of evidence on Sokaluk's lawyers.
Magistrate John Klestadt lifted the suppression order on Sokaluk's identity, saying
it would be known despite any court order.
Mr Klestadt said a suppression order also would not thwart anyone planning revenge
attacks in his home town.
"I am not persuaded that the suppression of his name will have any real effect
within that community," he said.
"I have little doubt that whatever the court does, his identity will be well known
... if it's not already.
"Vigilantism would not be thwarted ... simply by orders of a court suppression on
his name."
A suppression order remains in place on publishing Sokaluk's street address or his
image.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on Monday warned the media to abide by the
order.
Acting director Gavin Silbert SC warned breaches would be taken seriously and called
for calm in the matter.
"Suppression orders are put in place to protect the criminal justice process; to
ensure the safety of the defendant; and to ensure the conduct of a fair trial," he
said.
Sokaluk was arrested two days after he described his mood as "dirty" on the social
networking website myYearbook because "no one love (sic) him".
He had also recently been rejected by a girlfriend, according to his MySpace page.
Sokaluk - a one-time Country Fire Authority brigade volunteer - was also preoccupied
with falling in love and getting married and once worked as a gardener at a
university.
Sokaluk writes on his webpage: "l don't read books because they put me to sleep. my
heroe is mother earth with out her we all would be dead."
Sokaluk was transferred to Melbourne for his own safety on Friday and was remanded
in custody to appear at a committal mention on May 26.
He has not entered a plea nor applied for bail.