Man accused of Coles Bay home invasion, arson pleads not guilty
One of the three men charged over a home invasion and arson on Tasmania's east coast last month has pleaded not guilty in the Launceston Magistrates Court.
Jason Robert Burns, a 33-year-old from Launceston, has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges including aggravated armed robbery, aggravated assault, motor vehicle theft, and arson. The charges stem from a violent home invasion in Coles Bay, where police allege Burns and two others attacked a 76-year-old man, Grant Whelan, on July 11.
Burns appeared in Launceston Magistrates Court, where he pleaded not guilty through his lawyer. He is due to face the Supreme Court in Launceston on September 25. The victim, Mr. Whelan, spent six days in Royal Hobart Hospital following the incident. The accused men involved in the crime are Burns, Charlie Hills (29), and Hayden Morrison (33).
Mr. Hills was granted bail on July 31 and is set to return to court on September 8, while Mr. Morrison is scheduled to reappear in court tomorrow. The arson attack on Mr. Whelan's home resulted in a significant financial community support, raising over $100,000 through an online fundraiser. Volunteers have also been working to help restore the burnt remains of his residence.
Despite the outpouring of support, the stolen firearms remain missing, prompting Tasmanian Police to call for any relevant information.
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