Coles Bay arson accused granted bail in Launceston court

Charlie Hills bailed over alleged Grant Whelan assault, home arson in Coles BayPosted Fri 31 Jul 2026 at 6:21pmFri 31 Jul 2026 at 6:21pmGrant Whelan was hospitalised after the attack. (Supplied: Chantel Yates)In short:Charlie Hills, 29, is accused of assaulting a 76-year-old man, alongside two other men, in the early hours of July 11 at a Coles Bay property, on Tasmania's east coast.Mr Hills has been granted bail, with a $10,000 surety.Jason Byrnes, 33, and Hayden Morrison, 31, are also accused of attempted aggravated burglary, aggravated burglary, aggravated armed robbery, aggravated assault, arson and motor vehicle stealing.One of three men accused of attacking a 76-year-old man in a violent robbery on Tasmania's east coast three weeks ago has been granted bail.Charlie Hills, 29, was granted bail at the Launceston Magistrates Court by Justice Robert Pearce today, with strict conditions and a $10,000 surety imposed.Coles Bay man Grant Whelan was allegedly tied up with cable ties at his home at 5am on Saturday, July 11, his 15 firearms stolen, ute stolen and his house burnt to the ground.Mr Hills was arrested in the week after the incident alongside two other men from the Launceston area; Jason Burns, 33, and Hayden Morrison, 31.Mr Hills's bail was unopposed by the state.His charges include attempted aggravated burglary, aggravated burglary, aggravated armed robbery, aggravated assault, arson and motor vehicle stealing.Mr Hills's lawyer previously indicated he would plead not guilty.Mr Burns and Mr Morrison face the same charges, alongside an additional charge of a breach of family violence order.There has been an outpouring in support from the Tasmanian community for Mr Whelan since the incident, with more than $100,000 raised in an online fundraiser and volunteers working to help clean up the burnt remains of his home.Mr Whelan was released from the Royal Hobart Hospital on July 16 after six days.The missing firearms remain missing, with Tasmanian Police calling for information."Illegal firearms in the community pose a serious threat to public safety, and we remain determined, not just as part of this investigation … to locate and seize unlawful firearms," Detective Inspector David Gill said.Today is the second time Mr Hills has applied for bail. He was previously denied bail in the Launceston Magistrates Court.He will next appear at court on September 8.