A Chatham woman charged with deliberately setting a 120-unit Chatham housing complex on fire has been granted bail.
Erin Ott, 31, was charged with Arson (with disregard for human life) in late August following an early morning fire on August 25 that displaced dozens of residents from their homes at 99 McNaughton Avenue West in Chatham.
Ott, who is also facing 15 counts of fraud related to another matter, will be released from the jail in Windsor once a GPS ankle monitor is placed on her and is operational.
Her mother pledged $3,500 to get her daughter out of jail and must pay it if Ott breaks any of the bail conditions.
The judge in Chatham court on Wednesday placed Ott under house arrest during a bail hearing and imposed several bail conditions, including residing at her mother's house in Chatham at all times except for court appearances, legal meetings, and medical issues, and she must be in the presence of her mother while outside of the house. Other bail conditions include no contact with several people, including co-accused Leonard Greason, the two co-accused in the fraud allegations, and 13 displaced residents.
Ott is also banned from possessing illegal drugs, credit and debit cards that don't belong to her, and incendiary devices.
The judge told the courtroom filled with many of the displaced residents that the Crown did not meet the onus to keep Ott behind bars.
After hearing the submissions from the defence and the prosecution and a big sigh, the judge called the allegations "extremely serious", adding that housing is at a premium, which makes the allegations even more concerning.
The defence argued there is no indication that Ott will re-offend and that the bail plan presented is of the strongest kind with only one entrance to the mother's duplex and a surveillance camera.
The prosecution disagreed with the defence and told the court that Ott was at risk of re-offending, even though she has no previous criminal record. The Crown said the public would lose trust in the justice system if Ott was released on bail.
The prosecution also wondered out loud if Ott would abide by the bail conditions since her mother works full-time.
Ott will return to Chatham court November 27.
The pending trial will likely wait 12-18 months before it starts.
There is a publication ban prohibiting the publication of any evidence heard during the bail hearing.
Meantime, Chatham-Kent police are still looking for Leonard Greason, 48, of Chatham. Greason is currently wanted by CK police for Arson (with disregard for human life) in connection to the August 25 arson. He is also known to frequent London, Ontario.
Police warn the public to not approach or interact with him as he may be considered dangerous.
The court heard that Greason has a criminal record, including drug trafficking.
If you know where he is, call Chatham-Kent police at 911 or 519-352-1234, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Information leading to the arrest may be eligible for a cash reward.