- 2005 Brisbane bomb hoax
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On 14 November 2005, several bomb threats were called in from payphones in Brisbane, Australia, threatening the public transport system. Under advice from Police Commissioner, Bob Atkinson, Lord Mayor Campbell Newman and Premier, Peter Beattie ordered all buses and trains to be shut down at midday, and again at 4:45pm, causing huge problems, with thousands of people waiting. After a thorough bomb search, the public transport restarted operation.[1][2]
The following day, Rodney Bruce Watson, a 46-year-old man was arrested and charged on four counts of making bomb threats; his fingerprints having been found in three of the four phone booths.[3][4] His lawyer, however, stated that "[Watson] had not been near a telephone booth in years."[5] Watson later, reportedly, said to police that he had been "inspired by the recent arrests of terrorist suspects in southern states". In light of this, the court denied his bail request, because of a fear that he would "reoffend".[6] He pleaded guilty to the charges and "was sentenced to three years in jail, to be suspended after 12 months." He is also to be "supervised for three years once he is released from prison".[7]
References
- ^ "One charged over Brisbane bomb hoax". ABC Online. 15 November 2005. http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200511/s1507513.htm. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
- ^ "Man charged with hoax bomb threats". Gulf News. 17 November 2005. http://gulfnews.com/news/world/australia/man-charged-with-hoax-bomb-threats-1.444978. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
- ^ "Birthday bomb hoax: truckie in custody". Sydney Morning Herald. 16 November 2005. http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/bomb-threat-man-charged-over-hoax/2005/11/16/1132016819682.html. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
- ^ "Australian man charged over Brisbane bomb hoaxes appears in court". People's Daily. 6 December 2005. http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200512/06/eng20051206_225798.html. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
- ^ "Hoax caller charged". Taipei Times. 17 November 2005. http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/print/2005/11/17/2003280524. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
- ^ "Alleged Brisbane bomb hoaxer refused bail". ABC Online. 7 December 2005. http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200512/s1525809.htm. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
- ^ "Man jailed for Brisbane transport system bomb hoax". ABC Online. 28 July 2006. http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200607/s1699795.htm. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
Categories:- 2005 in Australia
- History of Brisbane
- Hoaxes in Australia
- 2005 hoaxes
- Brisbane stubs
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