A man accused of a starting a restaurant fire that led to violent clashes between rival protesters has been released on bail after his fifth attempt.
Wayle Mana, 25, applied for bail in the Victorian Supreme Court on Friday after being refused four times by the magistrates' court.
He is facing up to 15 years behind bars for allegedly setting fire to a Burgertory restaurant in Melbourne's east and a regional tobacco store.
It's alleged he committed the arsons at the Caulfield restaurant in November 2023 and the Bendigo store in January 2024, months after release from a four-year prison term.
The Burgertory fire sparked violent clashes between Israel and Palestine supporters, after the restaurant's owner linked it to his involvement in a pro-Palestine rally.
He claimed it was a hate crime but police said there was no evidence the fire was racially or politically motivated.
Defence barrister Matt Murphy on Friday conceded the arson charges were serious, but argued there were bail conditions that could reduce his client's alleged risk to the community.
They included the availability of an electronic monitoring device, drug counselling and a suitable bail address at his girlfriend's home.
The girlfriend's mother told the court she was aware of the allegations against Mana but willing to house the 25-year-old and offer a $10,000 surety because she wanted to help him.
"He really needs the support of family - I believe in him," she told the court.
But prosecutor Francesca Holmes questioned her about a threatening phone call Mana allegedly made to the woman's daughter in August.
He allegedly told his girlfriend of 15 months that he would burn her house down and said she was "gonna die".
The mother told the court her daughter had "said some choice things back" to Mana and she was not worried about his alleged volatility.
She then conceded she was concerned and all she could do was "hope for the best" if he was released into her home.
Justice Rita Incerti described the call as "disturbing", saying the Supreme Court often saw threatening conversations as a precursor to serious violent crimes.
She raised concerns about bailing Mana to live with a young woman whom he had allegedly threatened.
"It feels like I'm throwing a grenade with a hand on the pin by putting him in that environment," Justice Incerti said.
"Once these things explode, they explode."
But the justice ultimately granted Mana bail for a period of two weeks, finding the "good will" of his girlfriend's family was a significant protective factor.
"They have thrown you a massive lifeline," Justice Incerti said.
Mana will have to return to the Supreme Court in a fortnight, and provide two clean urine tests and confirmation he has attended drug counselling appointments.
The girlfriend's mother thanked Justice Incerti for giving Mana a chance.
He is due to return to the Supreme Court on December 20.
