Charges dropped against 'masked man' after fire at popular tourism site

Travis Bruce Doel has had his charge over a bushfire in the Valley Lake near Mount Gambier dismissed. His defence lawyer said prosecutors had not provided any more information despite two previous adjournments. What's next? He is due to face court in August over harm, theft and offensive language charges. A man accused of starting a fire at a famous lake precinct in South Australia's south-east in October last year has had one of the charges against him dismissed. Travis Bruce Doel, 37, appeared in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court today, where his lawyer applied to have a charge of causing a bushfire at the city's Valley Lake precinct dismissed. His lawyer said it was the third time the charge had appeared for determination and no further information from the prosecution had been provided. Mr Doel's additional charges of theft, threatening to cause harm and offensive language were not part of the dismissal application and will proceed. Those charges relate to an interaction with two women at the Valley Lake area, where Mr Doel allegedly swore at them and allegedly threatened to rape them. Dangerous behaviour Prosecutors had previously told the court Mr Doel was wearing a mask and black cape at the time of the interaction with the women on the evening of October 27 last year. The court heard that after the alleged interaction, the women noticed six fires had started in the lake precinct. When the case was first mentioned in court after the alleged incident, prosecutors expressed concerns the fire could have spread. But today in court, Magistrate Kylie Schulz dismissed the bushfire charge, noting it could be brought against him again. He will reappear in court in August on theft, threatening to cause harm and offensive language charges. ABC South East SA — local news in your inbox Get our local newsletter, delivered free each Friday