A 16-year-old boy already on probation for an explosives conviction today pleaded guilty in a New South Wales court to stockpiling chemicals for "the fun of creating an explosion". Bomb disposal experts uncovered the stash yesterday – including acetone peroxide, urea nitrate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulphate, hexamine nitrate and nitric acid – when they swarmed the boy's Sanctuary Point home, on the NSW south coast.Police were called to the property about 3.30pm (AEST) after neighbours reported hearing an explosion. Officers were so concerned about the volatile and unstable nature of the chemicals they called in the NSW Fire Brigade and the police bomb squad and counter-terrorism command.
Today, in Nowra Children's Court, the boy admitted setting off more than 60 explosions in bushland near his home during the previous two years. He purchased the chemicals from hardware, chemical and camping shops, the court was told. The boy pleaded guilty to charges of making an explosive and possessing explosives. Magistrate Graham Blewitt called for a full report on the boy from Juvenile Justice before sentencing. He said this was warranted considering the serious nature of the charges and the fact the boy had been convicted in March of possessing explosives and placed on a year's probation.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Brett Ford said the amount of chemicals located in a shed at the boy's home was of concern, stating there were "significantly more" than the number outlined on the fact sheet prepared for the court.
However, defence solicitor Charles Shirley said the boy treated the chemicals the same way people treated fireworks. The explosives were made "not for committing a crime, but for the fun of creating an explosion", Mr Shirley argued. The chemicals stockpiled by the boy were fertilisers that were "not inherently dangerous", he added. "They only become dangerous if you treat them in a way that makes them dangerous."
Following his arrest, the teenager told police he saw on an internet site how to use the fertilisers to make explosives. Mr Shirley said the boy had "learnt his lesson" and was "frightened and realises the precarious position he is in".
But his pleas to have the boy released to the care of his family were refused by Mr Blewitt, who noted the boy had a "terrible" criminal history despite his young age. "It is quite clear, in my view, the young person is one who has had substantial contact with the law, and is well aware of his responsibilities," Mr Blewitt said. The boy burst into tears as Mr Blewitt refused him bail, remanding him in custody until August 23 when he will be sentenced. On that day the boy will also face unrelated charges of assault and breaching an apprehended violence order.
