Benjamin James Thornley pleads not guilty to arson of van in Tamworth after Oxley police raided Robert Street unit

Benjamin James Thornley, 38, appeared in Tamworth Local Court last week, where documents show a plea of not guilty to a single charge of destroying property with fire was entered.

Thornley was arrested by police after a three-month investigation and public appeal led Oxley officers to a Robert Street unit last month.

Police claim the alleged arson is related to members of an outlaw motorcycle gang in Tamworth, with police storming a gathering of the members on June 30.

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Thornley is facing allegations he set fire to a Toyota Tarago van, and has been charged with destroying property worth more than $5000 in company, using fire.

Magistrate Erin Kennedy ordered a brief of evidence in the case to be compiled by police and served on lawyers in early August.

The police case is that the van erupted in flames about 3am on March 25, while it was parked outside a business on Aberdeen Street.

Police allege two men were seen running from the burning van, and officers launched an investigation and released CCTV as part of a public appeal for information.

Police got the breakthrough they needed, and arrested Thornley on June 30. He spent the night in custody and was formally refused bail in court the following day. He remains behind bars.

A second man was also arrested and charged in connection to the van fire. He was granted bail and will front court at a later date.

The Toyota Tarago is alleged to be at the centre of a drug investigation, which has already seen four people charged. All four remain before the court.

The case was adjourned.

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