Fly-in Fly-out worker, Ilija Tunjasevic, accused of setting co-worker’s donga on fire released on bail

A fly-in fly-out worker accused of breaking into a colleague’s donga at the Karratha Village before setting it on fire following an argument near Hungry Jacks has been released on bail. Ilija Tunjasevic, 32, appeared before the Karratha Magistrates Court on June 8, charged with one count of aggravated home burglary with intent, home burglary and criminal damage by fire. The court was told Mr Tunjasevic, who is yet to enter a plea, and a colleague, 24, went to Onyx on Sharpe on the evening of June 4 with friends before going to Evolution Night Club. It was alleged the pair were drinking at both venues before getting in a car with two other people and driving to Hungry Jack’s. Mr Tunjasevic and the 24-year-old got into an argument, with the accused getting out of the car and walking away, the prosecutor said. He then came back to the car and threw a punch at the victim before the driver separated the pair, the court was told. It is alleged that the driver took Mr Tunjasevic back to Karratha Village, where it is alleged Mr Tunjasevic grabbed a shovel, broke into the victim’s donga, and lay on the bed. The driver asked what he was doing with Mr Tunjasevic replying “I’m going to wait for him and sort this out” the court was told . He is alleged to have told Mr Tunjasevic to “pull his head in” and “go to bed” before leaving to pick up the victim from Hungry Jack’s. Mr Tunjasevic is alleged to have then grab a serrated knife from the camp kitchen and a lighter before returning to the victim’s donga and setting it on fire. His lawyer Chris Townsend entered a bail application for Mr Tunjasevic. Mr Townsend told the court both Mr Tunjasevic and the alleged victim were FIFO workers and had been stood down from Dynamite Concrete following the incident. He said the complainant had moved back to NSW and his client had no intention of leaving the State. Karratha Magistrate Cillian Stockdale granted bail under protective conditions with Mr Tunjasevic barred from leaving the State and ordered not to contact the victim by any means and to report twice a week. He will next appear before the Karratha Magistrates Court on July 20.