Andrew Arthur Woods: Accused Gnowangerup arsonist granted bail on strict conditions, fined for other charges

A man accused of lighting a fire that gutted his Gnowangerup home has been granted bail with multiple conditions. Defence lawyer Kyah Langdon successfully applied for bail on Andrew Arthur Woods’ behalf in Albany Magistrates Court last Tuesday. She argued that as his charge of criminal damage by fire would be committed to the District Court, there would be a significant delay before his case would be finalised. Police prosecutor Sgt Warrick Walker said about 11.45am on November 25, Mr Woods was at his home on Hughes Street in Gnowangerup. It is a standalone house owned by the Department of Communities. Sgt Walker said Mr Woods was the sole occupant of the dwelling when he allegedly lit a fire in a room in the southwest corner of the house. Mr Woods then allegedly took a stack of documents with him and left the scene, allegedly ridding himself of his soot-stained shirt outside a commercial premises in Gnowangerup. Police found him some time later at Gnowangerup District Hospital and arrested him. Sgt Walker opposed bail as Mr Woods had multiple breaches on his record, which he said indicated Mr Woods had difficulty complying with bail. Ms Langdon said Mr Woods would be able to comply with any conditions necessary on bail, and also asked for disclosure to be served early so she could read through the Department of Fire and Emergency Services report on the fire before Mr Woods’ next hearing. Magistrate Rosemarie Myers granted bail with reporting conditions and urine analysis, along with any appointments required by community corrections. In the same appearance, Mr Woods was fined $250 for trespassing at the Gnowangerup IGA on November 10 after he was banned from the premises last June, and for stealing groceries worth less than $100. He will next appear in Katanning Magistrates Court on April 21 for a committal mention.