The getaway driver involved in a multi-million dollar arson attack on the Lake Macquarie City Council administration building has been denied bail in a recent court hearing. Tony Charles Graham, who pleaded guilty to his role in the deliberately lit fire, made an audacious application for release ahead of his sentencing.
Sophisticated Attack Causes Massive Damage
On November 27, 2024, a sophisticated and organised arson attack targeted the council building in Speers Point. The incident caused more than $41 million in damages, displacing 450 staff and forcing the council to find alternative premises. Repair and restoration work is expected to continue until 2027.
According to court documents, the attack was meticulously planned. The perpetrators spray painted over exterior CCTV cameras, wore all-black clothing including gloves, and gained access to the building through unknown means. Armed with jerry cans full of petrol, they started a massive blaze that ripped through the first two floors.
Drive-Thru Stop Leads to Downfall
In a crucial misstep, the three men involved drove straight to a Warners Bay McDonald's drive-thru shortly after the attack. This decision allowed detectives to identify Graham's vehicle and ultimately led to the arrest of those involved.
Police began intercepting telephone calls and text messages, capturing conversations between Graham and co-accused Scott Paul Matheson. Their discussions revealed concerns about being identified, their desire for payment, and references to a shadowy "big developer" who had allegedly ordered the attack.
Bail Application Rejected
Despite having already spent over a year behind bars since his arrest in January 2025, Graham's bail application was rejected by Justice Peter Hamill in the NSW Supreme Court. His lawyers argued that due to his limited criminal record and role as the driver, he had effectively served his non-parole period.
Justice Hamill disagreed, stating the attack represented "a very serious example of arson" that was well-planned and motivated by money. He emphasised that an attack on a public building warranted a more substantial sentence than the time already served.
Health Concerns Deemed Speculative
Graham's legal team also cited recent health concerns as grounds for his release into the community. However, Justice Hamill dismissed these arguments as "speculative" and insufficient to justify bail given the severity of the offences.
Both Graham and Matheson have pleaded guilty to their roles in the arson attack. Matheson faces additional charges related to a drive-by shooting in Elermore Vale that occurred a week before his arrest. Police reported that while a house and car were sprayed with bullets during that incident, no injuries occurred.
Investigation Reveals Detailed Planning
An agreed statement of facts presented to the court outlines the precise timeline of the arson attack. At approximately 3:20am on November 27, 2024, Graham's ute was captured on CCTV approaching the rear of the council building. Matheson exited the vehicle and used pink spray paint to obscure security cameras.
About fifteen minutes later, Matheson returned with another unidentified man. CCTV footage captured them inside the building carrying jerry cans and pouring fuel across the ground floor before igniting the blaze. The pair then fled to Graham's waiting vehicle.
Less than ten minutes after leaving the scene, Graham's ute was recorded at the Warners Bay McDonald's drive-thru, where he ordered three drinks and paid in cash. Meanwhile, fire crews had arrived at the council building and were battling the extensive blaze.
Text Messages Reveal Concerns
Intercepted communications between the accused revealed their growing anxiety about being caught. In one exchange, Matheson questioned whether their McDonald's stop would "bring us undone." Graham responded with confidence about his prepared cover story, though he acknowledged the possibility of police investigation.
Graham was eventually arrested on January 16, 2025, with detectives finding him in bed at an East Maitland residence with a rifle on the floor beside him. In addition to the arson charge, he pleaded guilty to firearm and weapon offences.
The case highlights the serious consequences of organised criminal activity targeting public infrastructure. Both men remain in custody as they await sentencing in Newcastle District Court early next month, where they will receive their sentence dates for one of the region's most significant arson attacks in recent history.
