One of three men charged over an arson attack that killed two workers has faced court accused of helping his co-offenders avoid police apprehension.
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Semaj Cigobia, 18, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with assisting offenders, three counts of criminal damage by fire and weapons offences.
He was one of three men charged after the single-level factory was engulfed in flames about 4am on February 23.
Two Sunshine North men, a 42-year-old and 48-year-old, were sleeping inside the factory and died at the scene.
Cigobia, who is on bail, is facing "inherently serious" charges and was found with weapons including knives and a machete when he was arrested, prosecutor Daniel White told the court.
He said one of Cigobia's charges occurred at 4am and related to him allegedly providing assistance to his alleged co-accused.
Court documents reveal he is accused of causing criminal damage by fire "with the purpose of impeding the apprehension, prosecution, conviction and punishment of the principal offenders".
"It's alleged that damage was executed so as to assist the other two offenders in avoiding police apprehension," Mr White said.
A white dual cab ute alleged to have been utilised in the incident was later found burnt out on Gisborne Road in Coimadai on February 24.
Cigobia has been charged with destroying that vehicle.
Mr White urged a magistrate to vary his bail to impose a 11pm to 5am curfew on Cigobia.
Cogibia's lawyer Ann Valos asked for the curfew to begin at midnight and for the order to state he can leave his premises between those hours in the company of his mother or in the event of a medical emergency.
This was needed as her client's younger brother is on a ventilator 24-hours a day and Cigobia is the only other adult at home.
"It is a very unusual situation, given he's the only responsible adult in the household," Ms Valos said.
Magistrate Stephen Ballek agreed to vary his bail in those terms and Cigobia will next face court in December.
A 19-year-old Kurunjang man and an 18-year-old Melton South man will face court on Thursday charged with two counts of arson causing death.
Australian Associated Press
