A man accused of taking part in a violent home invasion and arson at Coles Bay last month has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The ABC reported that Jason Scott Burns entered the plea in the Launceston Magistrates Court on Monday, 10 August. He is one of three men charged in relation to the incident.
Tasmania Police issued a statement in July detailing the allegations. Police allege that on Saturday, 11 July 2026, two masked men broke into a rural property on Coles Bay Road. It is alleged the homeowner, a 76-year-old man, was assaulted, tied up with cable ties, and dragged outside before the house was set on fire.
Following an investigation involving detectives from South East CIB, Northern CIB, and other specialist police resources, three men were arrested in Launceston on Thursday, 16 July, as reported by Tasmania Police.
Police laid numerous charges against the three men, including aggravated assault, aggravated burglary, aggravated armed robbery, arson, and motor vehicle stealing. At the time, police also alleged that 15 licensed firearms were stolen from a safe at the property. The 76-year-old homeowner was treated at the Royal Hobart Hospital and was in a stable condition, according to a police statement on 17 July.
Alongside Mr. Burns, Charlie Hills, 29, and Hayden Morrison, 31, were also charged in relation to the incident, according to reporting from Pulse Tasmania.
It is a fundamental principle of Australian law that a person charged with a criminal offence is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The case involving Mr. Burns will continue in the court system. For further details on the initial court appearance, readers can refer to the original report by ABC News.