A man who was allegedly promised $6,000 to set a factory ablaze expressed a disturbing hope that the two men who perished in the fire were criminals, seeking some solace in the tragedy.

Phoenix Darren John Tims, whose unsettling remarks were captured secretly, appeared in the Victorian County Court on Thursday. He admitted to two charges of arson resulting in death.

Tims, along with his accomplice Atem Akoi Thon, both 20 years old, confessed to driving to the Sunshine North factory in a stolen utility vehicle during the early hours of February 23, 2024, to carry out the act.

According to the defense, Tims felt genuine remorse for his actions and had taken steps towards rehabilitation, including securing stable employment and spending quality time with his son.

Thon also admitted to two charges of arson causing death. His lawyer, Gordon Chisholm, stressed that Thon never intended for anyone to lose their lives in the fire.

Both Tims and Thon have accepted that imprisonment is inevitable. In contrast, Cigobia’s lawyer, Jennifer Clark, argued that a community corrections order would be a more fitting sentence for her client.

She told the court Cigobia, who pleaded guilty to assisting an offender, became involved because of loyalty to his friends.

All three will be sentenced on May 18, with their bail extended to their next court date.

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