New charges for DIY bomber: [1 All-round Country Edition]
Stapleton, John. The Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T] 23 Jan 2004: 3.
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Abstract
[Mark Avery] is also charged with possessing an explosive substance (nitroglycerine) for a suspected unlawful purpose. Nitroglycerine is a highly explosive oily liquid used specifically in making dynamite.
The court was told last week that the electrician from Blacktown, in Sydney’s west, set off the 97kg fertiliser bomb with a sparkler and was in serious danger of blowing himself up. Police later raided his home and allegedly found bomb making ingredients commonly used in internet recipes for home-made bombs. The nitroglycerine was allegedly found in his kitchen.
Full Text
THE man accused of detonating a huge bomb that exploded in a suburban Sydney paddock was yesterday charged with possessing the highly explosive nitroglycerine.
The Director of Public Prosecutions upgraded the charges against Mark Avery, accused of making a bomb which exploded on January 10, destroying an old car in the paddock in outer suburban Doonside.
The explosion — which could be heard 20km away — ripped a crater in the ground 5m wide and 2m deep and scattered debris for 350m.
At first there were fears, later dispelled, of a terrorist link. Ingredients in the bomb, which can be bought easily around Sydney, were the same used in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.
Avery was originally charged with unlawful making or possession of explosives, possession of dangerous articles and trespassing on commonwealth land.
But in Blacktown Local Court yesterday the NSW DPP amended the charges to include more specific details.
He is now charged with using a prohibited weapon, namely a bomb, without authorisation or permission, and entering enclosed lands of overseas telecommunications without the consent of Telstra and without lawful excuse.
Avery is also charged with possessing an explosive substance (nitroglycerine) for a suspected unlawful purpose. Nitroglycerine is a highly explosive oily liquid used specifically in making dynamite.
The court was told last week that the electrician from Blacktown, in Sydney’s west, set off the 97kg fertiliser bomb with a sparkler and was in serious danger of blowing himself up. Police later raided his home and allegedly found bomb making ingredients commonly used in internet recipes for home-made bombs. The nitroglycerine was allegedly found in his kitchen.
Avery’s bail was continued. He will appear in Blacktown Local Court again on February 26.