One of three men accused of stealing and torching two vintage Ferraris - including one that once belonged to Dodi Fayed, the boyfriend of Princess Diana - has been granted bail, partly because Victoria's jails are full.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Police allege Kane Ridley was waiting in a car outside a Braeside workshop when a 1973 Ferrari Daytona, worth between $1.5 million and $2 million, and a 1986 Ferrari 328, valued at $120,000, were stolen by associates in the early hours of November 6 last year.
The Daytona, which was bought by Mohamed Al-Fayed and given to son Dodi in the 1990s and was also at one stage owned by Pink Floyd singer Roger Waters, was found burnt out in Langwarrin the following day. The 328 was found burnt out in Frankston on November 9.
Mr Ridley, 34, and co-accused Bradley Abela, 30, and Matthew Ludwig, 32, all face theft and arson offences and other charges.
Melbourne Magistrates Court heard on Tuesday there was no direct evidence linking Mr Ridley to the scene of the Ferrari thefts and to the arsons.
But Detective Senior Constable Mark Atkinson told the court Mr Ridley had admitted being involved and that phone records showed he contacted associates after the thefts requesting help to store the rare cars. Prosecutors allege he was part of a joint criminal enterprise.
Mr Ridley appeared via video link from Port Phillip Prison because authorities did not take him to court as there was no space in the cells underneath the court building.
Magistrate John Hardy said while there were signs of a circumstantial case against the accused, the prosecution case against him was not overwhelmingly strong.
He granted bail because Mr Ridley had family support and stable accommodation with his parents and faced a long delay before a potential trial. The magistrate also listed in his reasons the capacity of the state's jails, which he described as "120 per cent" full.
Earlier on Tuesday, magistrate Suzanne Cameron was told Mr Ridley was one of several prisoners who were not taken to court because the court cells were full.
A security spokesman told the court 68 prisoners spent Monday night under the courts, which was above capacity, and conceded some inmates had been in the court cells for more than 20 days.
Ms Cameron said the overcrowding was interfering with people's rights to apply for bail, while Mr Ridley's lawyer, Charles Nikakis, described the situation as "ridiculous".
Mr Ridley, who was granted bail on a $50,000 surety and conditions he report to police three times a week and abide by a curfew, is due to return to court next month with his co-accused, who are both still in custody.
