Texts reveal ‘James Bond’ fury after botched arson attack in eastern suburbs

May Be Interested In:Daily Telegraph in altercation at popular eatery


“All I’m copping from him was messages like wtf, you’d didn’t even do it. There was like 2% damage! Wtf etc etc,” he said.

Later in conversation, Finnegan texted: “Was it the right place, what was damaged[?]

A detective leaves the crime scene at Lewis’ Continental Kitchen in Bondi.Credit: OnScene Bondi

“I know there was no other possible way it could have been done and as for [it being an] easy job to do like he said what a load of s— so I can be bothered explaining myself to him, you and I know we done all that we could that’s all I care about.

Finnegan said later: “I’m starting to think he has sent us to the wrong place LoL.”

Detectives from Strike Force Pearl, established to investigate the spate of antisemitic attacks that have been plaguing Sydney for months, have been investigating whether the fire at the brewery was the result of a mix-up, with the intended target being a Jewish business hit by fire three days later.

Lewis’ Continental Kitchen, a kosher catering business and deli 1200 metres from the brewery, caught fire in the early hours of October 20.

Brewery bar and restaurant Curly Lewis on Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach.

Brewery bar and restaurant Curly Lewis on Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach.Credit: James Evans

Vision from the second crime scene showed a detective seizing what looked like a red jerrycan.

Police initially said the fire was not suspicious, but later appealed for information and footage from the public.

Two other men, Wayne Ogden and Juon Amuoi, have since been charged over the fire at Lewis’ Continental Kitchen. They remain before the courts. Neither Bantoft nor Finnegan have been charged over the second fire.

Bantoft is being held on remand on unrelated matters and will return to Waverley Local Court in March for sentencing.

Finnegan was sentenced on Wednesday to 10 months imprisonment for damaging property by fire as part of an 18-month aggregate sentence for a range of offences.

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