A Metro Rail employee and CFA volunteer charged with derailing a train on the Hurstbridge line and a string of other arson and sabotage crimes has been remanded in custody but is expected to apply for bail next month.
Nicholas Archer, 27, an equipment assistance examiner at Metro Rail, faces 29 charges of damaging property across Melbourne’s rail network, including causing damage estimated at $3 million at the Hurstbridge railway station late last year.
Mr Archer is also accused of lighting fires at the Newport fire museum, Newport steam rail club warehouse, Clonbinane CFA fire station and the Tottenham railway station.
NICHOLAS ARCHER (FACEBOOK)
He was arrested last Saturday at his home in Waterford Park, near Kilmore, after a fire at a tyre business in West Footscray.
Mr Archer appeared briefly before Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday and was remanded in custody.
The court heard he planned to apply for bail on March 3.
The out-of-sessions hearing was told Mr Archer had made admissions over the offences and had participated in re-enactments.
Another man has also been charged over the fire at the tyre business, which is alleged to have caused $50,000 damage.
– The Age
