Charges laid over Torquay arson

A MAN will face court in Geelong next year on several charges relating to arson at a home in Torquay nearly a year ago. Heath Tournier’s house in Gilbert Street and his car parked nearby were destroyed by fire on Christmas Eve, 2017 (as seen here). The police have charged Sean Mannion with the offence, and he has been committed to stand trial in the Geelong Magistrates’ Court on January 18 on three charges of reckless conduct endangering life, three counts of reckless conduct endangering serious injury, two counts of criminal damage by fire, one count of possession of an article for criminal damage, and one count of dealing with property suspected to be the proceeds of crime. Earlier this year, Mr Tournier expressed interest that once the site of his gutted home had been bulldozed (also pictured here), it could be used as a pop-up shop or other commercial opportunity over the Christmas period.