An enormous fire that burned a $24 million heritage-listed harbourside mansion to the ground was set alight by a 19-year-old Kenyan national who had only been in the country five months when he was allegedly told: “You must light the fire.”
Adams Kipkosgei Bett, now 20, has been behind bars for almost 14 months after lighting the blaze on Sydney’s lower north shore in September 2022.
Court documents reveal how Mr Bett told police he had been earning cash in construction and tree lopping since arriving in Australia in April 2022 and had previously done some fencing work for property developer Steve Nassif.
Mr Nassif admitted to police after the blaze he was “friends” with the owner of the home -fund manager and property developer Ouyang “Owen” Chen.
Mr Chen, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, bought the house in 2021 for $24.1m.
On the night of the fire, Mr Nassif allegedly asked Mr Bett if he was “free” with the pair buying petrol and driving to the Northwood property.
Mr Bett told police Mr Nassif said to him “you must light the fire”. Mr Bett said he did so because he was “scared of him” and thought the fire “had to happen”. He said Mr Nassif waited in the car while he lit the fire.
“Mr Bett only wanted work,” the police facts stated.
“Mr Bett had never started a fire before and was (allegedly) directed by Mr Nassif to enter the premises, pour the petrol and light the fire by standing behind the poured petrol.”
Mr Bett made “full admission” during a police interview in December 2022 through the assistance of a Swahili interpreter and said he felt “depressed” after lighting the fire, the document said.
The documents also revealed he originally was supposed to light the fire a week earlier, however refused to do so.
“No reason was proffered for doing so and he did not know why the fire had to be lit,” police facts stated.
“No money had been given to Mr Bett for the fire and he didn’t ask as he hadn’t expected to do that job.”
He has pleaded guilty to the charge of intentionally or recklessly damaging property. He will be sentenced on March 26 and faces a maximum 10 years in jail.
Mr Bett’s lawyer Javid Faiz from Sydney Criminal Law Specialists told news.com.au that while the offence was serious in nature it was “sad to see that a young person was taken advantage of and placed in this sad situation”.
Mr Faiz also said his client had not made a bail application since his arrest and hoped to be released soon.
Mr Nassif has also been charged over his alleged role in the fire. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge of damaging property by fire as well as not having approved storage for a firearm.
He was originally handed a third charge – destroy property in company using fire – but the charge is set to be withdrawn. His was released on bail in December 2022 after putting up a $400,000 surety. His case returns to court on February 22.
Police will allege Mr Nassif had former business links to Mr Chen, who owns both the now-destroyed property and the home next door – where he currently resides with his wife.
Court documents state Mr Nassif told police he and Mr Chen “went hunting sometimes” and still kept in contact “from time to time”.
In July 2022, Mr Chen lodged an appeal with Lane Cove Council after an application to demolish the now-ruined property was rejected.
Mr Chen had wanted to build a $5 million contemporary, four-storey residence with a swimming pool in its place, however, was rejected due to the fact the heritage significance of the building.
There is no suggestion the application is linked to the fire.
The manor-style home boasted spectacular views of the Lane Cove River, Sydney’s CBD and Anzac Bridge and featured a tennis court, six bedrooms, a boathouse, sandstone cellar and an orchard.