A man accused of absconding from hospital and attempting to light a meditation centre and a woman inside it on fire has faced court.
Ivanhoe man Bartholomew Griffith, 25, allegedly absconded from a mental institution before he broke into the International College of Meditation, in Northcote, about 1.30am on Saturday.
Police allege Mr Griffith poured petrol throughout the Salisbury Grove building and doused a woman in petrol, before throwing matches in her direction.
However, no fire was ignited and Mr Griffith was arrested at an address in Ivanhoe about 2.30am on Wednesday morning.
Mr Griffith, who was charged with aggravated burglary, attempted criminal damage, reckless conduct endangering life and reckless conduct endangering serious injury, appeared from prison before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
His lawyer Samuel Cooper told the court Mr Griffith was confronting his first stint in custody and said he was undergoing tobacco withdrawals.
He made no application for bail and will return to court in July.
Mr Griffith will also appear in the Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court in May for a separate matter.
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