A 20-year-old man has admitted in court to setting fire to a factory in Melbourne, Australia, in a case that resulted in the deaths of two innocent men, according to reports by AAP.

Phoenix Darren John Tims, together with his co-accused Atem Akoi Thon, pleaded guilty in the Victorian County Court to two counts of arson causing death. The court heard that the pair carried out the attack in the early hours of February 23, 2024, after being promised a payment of $6000 to burn down a factory in Sunshine North, as reported by AAP.

During the incident, Tims allegedly poured petrol at the entrance of the building and set it alight before fleeing the scene with Thon in a stolen vehicle. The fire quickly spread to a nearby property where two men, identified as Hai Minh Nguyen, aged 41, and Phuc Tran, aged 48, were sleeping. Both men died in the blaze. Prosecutors told the court that the accused did not know the victims were inside the neighbouring property and had not intended to cause any deaths. However, the consequences of their actions proved fatal.

The court was also presented with covert recordings obtained by police during investigations. In the recordings, Tims admitted to setting the fire and made disturbing remarks about the deaths, saying he hoped the victims had committed serious crimes so he could justify his actions, according to AAP. Following the incident, Tims, Thon, and a third accused, Semaj Cigobia, burned the stolen vehicle used in the crime in an attempt to destroy evidence. Cigobia has since pleaded guilty to assisting an offender.

Family members of the deceased addressed the court, describing the emotional and financial hardship they have faced since losing their loved ones. One partner expressed ongoing trauma, recalling the horror of the victims being trapped in the fire.

The defence told the court that Tims was under the influence of drugs at the time of the offence but has since shown remorse and taken steps to change his life. Thon’s legal representative also stated that his client never intended to cause loss of life. All three accused are expected to be sentenced on May 18, with the court indicating that custodial sentences are likely for the main offenders.

The case highlights the devastating consequences of criminal acts carried out for financial gain, even when the full impact is not intended.