Torched Pizzeria For Pizza

A MAN was promised free pizza for life in return for burning down a rival's pizzeria in Melbourne, a court has heard.

Frank John Foschini, 35, torched Papa John's pizza parlour in Clayton four years ago, dousing it in petrol and setting off an explosion that blew him off his feet as he fled the scene.

The County Court heard Foschini, the brother of former Saints and South Melbourne footballer Silvio, pocketed $800 from a restaurant owner who also offered him free pizza for eliminating his competitor.

Foschini had no beef with Papa John's owner, John Yakub, whom he had never met, but accepted the job to finance his heroin habit, the Herald Sun reports.

On July 31, 2005, he donned overalls, gloves and a balaclava and broke into the shop in Carinish Rd, pouring petrol around before lighting it with a match. The explosion felled a brick wall and knocked him flying as he ran to his car in a laneway behind the shop.

The court heard Foschini was such a talented footballer he was considered likely to surpass his brother's AFL success, but drug addiction ruined his career.

Foschini, a father of one, has been having treatment for his addiction and is starting to get his life on track after a 20-year battle.

The court was told Foschini had severed ties with the rival restaurateur - cutting off his free pizza supply.

Judge Michael McInerney said it was an outrageous offence where the sole motivation was to snuff out a market competitor. He questioned why the rival said to be behind the arson had apparently escaped charges.

"That's the bigger worry for the community, I would have thought," the judge said.

Prosecutor Gavin Silbert, SC, said there was insufficient evidence to prosecute.

Mr Yakub's thriving business was devastated by the fire and never reopened.

"I feel sorry for this guy that's going to jail. He's on drugs. He doesn't know what he's doing," Mr Yakub told the Herald Sun.

"The guy who paid him to do it, I want him to get the punishment. He's wrecked my life."

He said he not only lost his family business but suffered the suspicion of locals who wrongly accused him of setting the fire himself.

Judge McInerney said it was a serious case of arson that was likely to earn Foschini a jail term in spite of his recent efforts to change his ways.

Foschini, of South Clayton, pleaded guilty to arson.

He was remanded in custody pending sentencing next week.