Melville man accused of arson spree

A Yorkton judge has refused bail to a Melville man accused of numerous arson and firearms related charges.

Michael Hahn, 44, faces 11 Criminal Code charges including five counts of arson, two counts of break and enter, an done count each of intentionally causing damage by fire, use of a firearm, careless use of a firearm and possession of a firearm for a purpose dangerous to the public.

A press release from the RCMP describes an alleged spree of mayhem beginning on the evening of August 13 with complaints of a gun being discharged and a fire at a residence on 4th Avenue in Melville. Over the next several hours, police and firefighters responded to a number of other structure fires including a barn and a shed on a nearby farm, an abandoned residence on another farm and another residence on Scotia Street in Melville.

All the buildings received major damage except for the residence on Scotia Street.

The initial investigation turned up no one present in any of the buildings.

Further investigation led RCMP members to Hahn, whom they arrested without incidence at his residence outside of Melville.

At a bail hearing in Yorkton August 19, the Crown, represented by Todd Wellsch opposed Hahn’s release on the secondary and tertiary grounds that his remand was required to protect the public and maintain public confidence in the administration of justice.

Melville attorney David Kreklewich argued for the defence.

Judge Ross Green sided with the prosecution saying he found the details, which cannot be reported here due to a publication ban, “shocking.”

Green said he found the Crown’s case compelling and was well-satisfied continued remand was warranted on both grounds.

Green adjourned the case until August 29 for a plea and ordered the defendant have no communication with the alleged victims, the owners of the affected properties.