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By ASHLEY NICKEL FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA
Published: | Updated:
A man who was allegedly doused with petrol and set on fire with a blow torch has been described as a hard-working family man.
Jai Brebner was set alight after a brief argument with two men outside his home in Baldivis, south Perth, on December 30.
He suffered burns to 60 per cent of his body and remains in a critical condition two weeks on from the attack.
Chilling CCTV footage shared by Western Australia Police showed the men approached Mr Brebner’s home, one armed with two axes and the other holding a clear liquid and blow torch.
It’s understood the men were known to Mr Brebner.
After a brief conversation, one of the men threw the clear liquid over Mr Breber and used the blow torch to ignite it.
The flames quickly engulfed the father, who tore off his shirt and ran from the attackers.
Both men then spent some time at the front door before entering the Baldivis home and then fleeing the scene.
Jai Brebner (pictured) suffered burns to 60 per cent of his body after being doused in petrol and set alight
Mr Brebner (pictured) faces up to 15 surgeries and several months of recovery from the attack
The ‘extremely confronting and extremely concerning’ footage was released by WA Police on the weekend in the hope someone could identify the second alleged attacker, having already made one arrest.
David Stitson, 50, was subsequently arrested by the Gang Crime Squad at a hotel on Hay Street, Perth, about 7.15pm on Monday.
Stitson’s 24-year-old alleged co-offender was arrested last Wednesday, January 8, in Rockingham.
Both were each charged with one count of intending to cause grievous bodily harm.
WA Police said horrific injuries were inflicted to the ‘entire front of the victim’s body and head’.
‘He is expected to endure extensive amounts of surgeries, up to 15 surgeries, and he will be in hospital for a number of months,’ Detective Senior Sergeant Anthony Thompson said.
Mr Brebner (pictured) tore off his shirt and ran from the attackers after being set on fire
Police have arrested two men, a 24-year-old, and 50-year-old David Stitson (pictured), over the alleged attack
‘I have to reiterate that he is in a critical (condition), there is still a threat to his life.
‘Our lines of inquiries were inhibited by the fact the victim was in a coma and couldn’t provide an account of what occurred, so we had to use other forms of inquiry to establish exactly what occurred.’
‘In the footage the second man is armed with what appears to be small axes, it’s extremely confronting … and this is why we are taking it at the highest level,’ he said.
‘We want to resolve this immediately for specific risks and also to ensure the community that we are protecting them.’
Chilling CCTV footage showed two men dousing Mr Brebner is a clear accelerant before setting him alight with a blow torch
A GoFundMe for Mr Brebner was created on Tuesday with a goal of raising $8,000 for his family.
It had raised $225 from three donors as of Thursday morning.
‘This fund is for him and his family hoping to help relieve coming weeks’ financial stress,’ the fundraiser’s creator, Melanie Blazseka, wrote.
‘Jai is a hardworking concreter and family man who was the main income earner of household, these funds will ensure they can pay the rent and cover cost of bills or however needed.’
Stitson faced Rockingham Magistrates Court on Tuesday and was remanded in custody.
He and his alleged co-offender are set to appear in court on February 7.
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