A Lurg man who allegedly lit fires at the back of his property and fled from police in a truck while unlicenced has been released from custody.

He appeared at Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court for a bail application last week after he was charged with failure to stop at police direction, burning off during the Fire Danger Period and failing to appear at court.

The court heard on 14 November emergency services responded to two fires lit at the back of an Asbury Road property in Lurg.

As police arrived on scene, a prime mover allegedly driven by the accused was fleeing the property.

Police pursued the truck and activated their lights and sirens, but the accused allegedly didn’t pull over, poked out the window and waved his hands.

It’s alleged the man, who has a long criminal history, lit the fires.

The man’s driver's licence was disqualified for 24 months last year after he refused to do a breath test while driving.

First Constable Lucinda Desailly of Benalla police said the man had driven off on police on numerous occasions, using a range of vehicles and trucks he obtained through previous employment.

It’s alleged he once drove a truck through a busy Benalla intersection without stopping as police pursued him.

“He displays no regard for the court and by continuing to re-offend he shows disregard to authorities and the public,” First Const Desailly said.

“He could possibly endanger somebody’s life with his driving behaviour.

“I believe the accused is unreliable, he’s failed to appear [at court] on all occasions and what’s to say he’ll abide by a curfew.”

The man was wanted on six warrants after three non-appearances at court this year for multiple matters.

Defence counsel Nancy Battiato said her client would be an unacceptable risk in prison due to an intellectual disability and impairment diagnosed by a psychologist.

The court heard the man’s mental health had been deteriorating since the loss of his father.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Ramadan Hamidon said the accused showed a lack of willingness to engage with authorities and rehabilitation and feared he would continue to drive heavy vehicles while unlicenced.

Magistrate Ian Watkins said he was troubled by his alleged driving while disqualified and non-appearances at court, but granted bail on the risk he would spend longer behind bars on remand than his imposed sentence.

The man will return to Benalla Magistrates’ Court on 16 December.