A man who was allegedly doused with petrol and set on fire with a blowtorch has been described as a hardworking family man.
Jai Brebner was set on fire on December 30 after a brief argument with two men outside his home in Baldivis, south Perth.
He suffered burns to 60 percent of his body and remains in critical condition two weeks after the attack.
Chilling CCTV footage shared by Western Australia Police shows the men approaching Mr Brebner’s home, one armed with two axes and the other with a clear liquid and a blowtorch.
It is clear that the men were known to Mr. Brebner.
After a brief conversation, one of the men threw the clear liquid over Mr. Breber and used the gas burner to light him.
The flames quickly engulfed the father, who took off his shirt and ran from the attackers.
Both men then spent some time at the front door before entering Baldivis’ home and then fleeing the scene.
Jai Brebner (pictured) suffered burns to 60 percent of his body after being doused with gasoline and set on fire
Mr Brebner (photo) must undergo fifteen operations and spend several months recovering from the attack
The “extremely confrontational and extremely worrying” footage was released by WA Police over the weekend in the hope someone could identify the second alleged attacker after he has already made one arrest.
David Stitson, 50, was subsequently arrested by the Gang Crime Squad at a hotel on Hay Street, Perth, at around 7.15pm on Monday.
Stitson’s 24-year-old suspected co-offender was arrested in Rockingham last Wednesday, January 8.
Both were each charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
WA Police said gruesome injuries were inflicted on the “entire front of the victim’s body and head”.
“It is expected that he will require a large number of operations, up to 15, and will be in hospital for a number of months,” Detective Senior Sergeant Anthony Thompson said.
Mr Brebner (pictured) ripped off his shirt and ran from the attackers after being set on fire
Police have arrested two men, a 24-year-old and 50-year-old David Stitson (pictured), over the alleged attack
“I must reiterate that his condition is critical, there is still a threat to his life.
‘Our lines of inquiry were hampered by the fact that the victim was in a coma and could not provide an account of what had happened. That’s why we had to use other forms of investigation to determine exactly what happened.’
“In the footage the second man is armed with what appears to be small axes, it is extremely confrontational… and that is why we are taking it at the highest level,” he said.
“We want to resolve this immediately for specific risks and also reassure the community that we are protecting them.”
Chilling CCTV footage shows two men dousing Mr Brebner, an apparent accelerant, before setting him on fire with a blowtorch
A GoFundMe for Mr. Brebner was founded on Tuesday with the goal of raising $8,000 for his family.
As of Thursday morning, it had raised $225 from three donors.
“This fund is for him and his family in hopes of easing the financial stress of the coming weeks,” wrote the fundraiser’s creator, Melanie Blazseka.
‘Jai is a hardworking concrete worker and family man who was the main income earner of the household. These funds will ensure they can pay rent and cover bills, or whatever else is needed.”
Stitson faced Rockingham Magistrates Court on Tuesday and was remanded in custody.
He and his alleged accomplice will appear in court on February 7.