A 33-year-old Liverpool man charged with having an explosive device in his vehicle was simply involved in a prank according to his solicitor and publicity surrounding the charging of his client was media “hype.”
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“He is not some bomb-making jihadist,” legal aid solicitor Gerry Stapleton told the court
“It must be a slow media day with everyone chasing headlines as there are cameras outside the court and media inside.”
Ryan Paget sat in the dock charged with being in possession of an explosive device and being in possession of small amounts of cannabis and methamphetamine after he was arrested by Orange police on Monday night.
Paget was granted strict conditional bail by acting deputy registrar Matthew Tedeschi on the condition he can come up with a surety of $1000.
Sergeant Glenn Griffith prosecuting on behalf of police opposed bail for Paget saying the device found in the vehicle of the accused not only posed a threat to the community but to the police officers who searched the vehicle.
“It was made from modified fireworks,” Sergeant Griffith said.
The court also heard a similar device had been discharged earlier on a road at Mumbil and police were investigating the possible link.
Sergeant Griffith told the court Paget had a criminal history and had no ties to the Orange area which were concerns for police who thought he might be a flight risk.
The court heard part of Paget’s criminal history involved violence.
Mr Tedeschi in considering the bail application noted two previous driving while disqualified offences by the accused.
However, he said as Paget had a registered address in Liverpool where he lived close to his family he would impose a daily reporting condition to Liverpool Police Station until the accused returns to Orange Local Court later this month.
Mr Tedeschi told Paget if he couldn’t come up with the required $1000 surety by the end of the day he would have to spend the night in Bathurst jail.
The passenger who was in the vehicle with Paget at the time of the search and arrest was granted police bail on Monday night.
Late on Tuesday Paget was still trying to arrange surety so he could be released on bail.