Making a bomb threat and rigging a doorbell to cause an electric shock were amongst allegations laid in court against McLeans Ridges man, Paul William Chesworth, 45, following his arrest at Wollongbar, near Lismore, last week.
Create a free account to read this article
or signup to continue reading
Mr Chesworth was arrested after a police operation at Wollongbar last Thursday, that lasted six hours, and caused the lockdown of the nearby TAFE.
About 8am on November 23, emergency services were called to a private property on the Bruxner Highway at Wollongbar, following concerns for welfare.
Court documents reveal the man allegedly used a carriage service to make a hoax bomb threat. It is alleged he intended to convey the belief that a person at a Bruxner Hwy address, and those in the vicinity, were in danger.
After a six-hour stand-off, Mr Chesworth, was taken into custody by officers from the Tactical Operations Unit.
He was charged at Lismore Police Station with using a carriage service to make a hoax threat, giving false information about a person/property in danger, and possessing a prohibited drug.
The drugs he was alleged to have had in his possession, were 14 oxycodone tablets, for which he did not have a prescription.
A further charge of breaching an AVO was laid in relation to a separate incident.
The matters were heard in Ballina Local Court on Friday, November 24, before Magistrate Karen Stafford, but were relisted to Byron Bay Court on Monday, November 27.
However, Magistrate Stafford said on the balance of facts before the court, it seemed probable that Mr Chesworth had breached bail conditions already in place, and bail was revoked.
Fresh charges were laid when the matter was heard in Byron Bay Local Court on Monday.
Ms Chesworth was charged with possessing a weapon or using a prohibited weapon without a permit, and placing or setting a trap with the intention to inflict grievous bodily harm.
Court documents allege that in Casino on November 23, he possessed a prohibited weapon that was "designed to administer an electric shock on contact".
The improvised device was allegedly used to set a trap, connecting a device capable of emitting an electrical charge to a door knob and putting a sign placed outside it saying "press doorbell".
Mr Chesworth has not yet entered a plea over these matters, and they have been relisted to Ballina Court on December 7, where the defendant is expected to appear via audio-visual link.
He also faces charges of alleged reckless wounding, relating to a separate incident. He has entered a plea of not guilty. This matter is listed for mention in Casino Local Court on December 21.
An application for a Apprehended Personal Violence Order against Mr Chesworth was adjourned to Casino Local Court on December 21.
Mr Chesworth did not apply for bail, and remains in custody.