Man who set himself on fire in car outside police station found not guilty of endangering lives

A man who set himself on fire in a car outside a police station in Sydney’s west has been found not guilty by reason of mental illness of intentionally destroying property to endanger lives. 

Peter Zhurawel claimed he never intended to hurt anyone but himself, when he ignited a gas bottle inside his car outside Merrylands police station in July, 2016.

Security vision shows the moment the 63-year-old sets himself on fire inside his car, before it rolls down a driveway and smashes through a roller door.

Police officers can be seen rushing to the car to try to put out the fire in the aftermath.

Psychologists found that Zhurawel suffers from a delusional disorder and the court heard he had been paranoid for 30 years about police being out to get him. 

The judge ruled that Zhurawel’s mental state meant that he was unable to understand what he did was wrong.

He will stay behind bars until at least next month, while the court decides whether he is fit for release.