Pipe-bomb Victim's Son Charged
Sydney Morning Herald
Tuesday August 12, 2008
A MAN whose father was killed when a homemade bomb exploded as he mowed his lawn has been charged with possessing drugs and receiving stolen property.
Jonathan Lowe, 22, was arrested by detectives investigating the death of Lionel Barry Lowe, 67, after a second search of buildings on the Dural property where the explosion happened on May 10.During the raid police allegedly discovered a small quantity of the methamphetamine ice and stolen property in a granny flat where the son lived.A police statement presented to Sydney's Central Local Court alleged that Lowe, who has been refused bail, commissioned a friend to build the bomb, which was triggered by remote-control by means of a mobile phone.Although Lowe was not charged over the death, he was named in the court documents when a fitter machinist, Ashley Glenn Wright, 26, of Arcadia, appeared, charged with the manslaughter of Dr Lowe.Police said the semi-retired pharmaceutical research scientist died after being hit by shrapnel from a pipe bomb placed in a skip in the backyard of his Mitchell Road home, which exploded as the father of five drove past on a ride-on mower.In evidence presented to the hearing on July 17 before Magistrate Allan Moore police alleged that bomb-making components including the "highly volatile" home-made explosive, triacetone triperoxide and mobile phones were found in the granny flat occupied by Lowe, who denied knowledge of the explosives.The court heard police were trying to verify Lowe's movements on the day of his father's death.Police said Lowe was initially detained on May 20 "on suspicion of possessing explosives" but was later released.Wright was released on $10,000 bail and ordered to appear before Central Local Court on September 4. Lowe is to appear before Hornsby Local Court on Friday.
© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald
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