A man with mental and physical disabilities, who claimed to have made “little firecrackers” when an explosive was found after two sieges in Brisbane, was denied bail.
Adam William Chill will remain in custody after the Brisbane Magistrates’ Court heard that the 42-year-old received a prison term in 2008 when they found an improvised explosive device.
Judge Belinda Merin refused bail Monday after police received photos of evidence found at Woolwin’s residence, including “commercial-class detonators” after Chile’s arrest on May 17.
“It’s hard for me to agree that what the police found was for making small firecrackers,” she said.
Chill received six years in prison in 2008 for charges, including attempting to inflict bodily harm with explosives or harmful substances, and actions aimed at injury or mutilation, the court heard.
“I understand that, among other things, it was an improvised explosive device,” Ms. Merin said.
Last week, officers were called to Vuluvin’s home after a resident said they found “explosives and lighters” after Chile’s departure, a court hearing said.
Police said Chill “threatened to shoot a family member and then turned his gun on himself” before leaving.
The explosive searched the house before police announced a public safety law and drove away the surrounding streets.
Investigators tracked Chile to a car in Kurpar, cordoning the area off until officers arrested him without incident.
Explosives officers also safely detonated an explosive device found at Vuluvin’s home.
A search of the house turned up a number of items “compatible with the manufacture or manufacture of explosives” as well as other items, including three copies of pistols, a knife and a Queensland police badge, the court heard.
Duty lawyer Helen Shilton said none of the police photos contradicted Chile’s explanation that the explosive found was made to make “little firecrackers.”
Two copies of the guns were gel blasters used for paintball, and the other was a toy, she said.
Ms. Shilton also downplayed the badge, saying Chill had obtained an ID from the “Intelligence Payment Fund” and put it in a Queensland police wallet.
She said Chill possessed “FBI classification files” received in the mail because he “became interested in searching for the missing.”
Chill was “low-intelligence” and was diagnosed with special needs during his school years, Ms. Shilton said.
Chela was also diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after an attack during a previous prison term.
“My client’s biggest fear right now … is to be in jail,” Ms. Shilton said.
She asked Chill to get bail and live under a 24-hour curfew with her parents – who were on trial – at their home in Kapalaba.
Police said Chill was in “serious condition” at the time of the alleged offenses after he was asked to leave the Wooloowin unit, where he lived with his partner and family members, and a psychiatrist advised him to get a “proper assessment”.
Ms. Shilton said the parents would ensure that Chill would not be in contact with the family at home, and provide their son with mental health treatment.
However, Ms. Merin said Chill was “concerned” for himself and society after looking at things confiscated by police, his mental state and criminal history.
The trial has been postponed until July 13.
https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/crime/man-denied-bail-after-two-brisbane-sieges-c-6907870
