A man who allegedly tried to set a speed camera alight – twice – using a sock soaked in accelerant has given a bizarre interview to reporters outside court.

Russell Terrence Weribone, 40, of Reynella, faced the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with two counts of arson.

7 News: Alleged traffic camera arsonist speaks to media 7 News: Alleged traffic camera arsonist gives strange interview

The court heard he had been released from custody just three hours earlier.

The single father-of-two and self-employed electrician asked to be released on bail, saying he and his children would lose their home if he was remanded in custody.

SA Police opposed Weribone’s release, saying he could “not be trusted” to abstain from further offending.

Outside court today, Weribone took off his shirt to mask his face in full view of television cameras, denied he was the man reporters had just seen inside and asked “what’s a sock”, before flexing his arms, dropping some of his belongings and leaving to find a taxi.

Police alleged that, at 12.30am on Wednesday, Weribone attempted to set fire to the traffic safety camera at the intersection of Anzac Highway and Greenhill Rd.

That fire, caught on CCTV, was extinguished – but Weribone allegedly returned at 3.45am to try again, this time using a fuel-soaked sock.

Police alleged Weribone was found a short time later, and a short distance away, in a car matching that seen on the CCTV footage.

When interviewed, he allegedly told officers he had been attempting to extinguish the fire.

Prosecutors said Weribone had been released from custody three hours before the first attempted arson, having been bailed on charges of indecent language and graffiti.

However, Magistrate Simon Smart agreed Weribone could be releasedon $500 bail, with a curfew banning him from leaving his home between 10pm and 6am.

Weribone will face court again in January.