Mosman bomb hoax
Date | 3 August 2011 |
---|---|
Location | Mosman, New South Wales, Australia |
Coordinates | 33°50′30″S 151°14′51″E / 33.8417°S 151.2474°ECoordinates: 33°50′30″S 151°14′51″E / 33.8417°S 151.2474°E |
Cause | Suspected collar bomb |
Suspect(s) | Paul Douglas Peters |
Charges | Aggravated break and enter, detaining for advantage |
Verdict | Guilty |
Convictions | 13.5 years (minimum 10 years) |
The Mosman bomb hoax took place in the Lower North Shore Sydney suburb of Mosman, New South Wales, Australia on 3 August 2011. An apparent collar bomb was placed around the neck of 18-year-old student Madeleine Pulver,[1] by a balaclava-clad home intruder.[2]
Investigation
The dummy device was of such sophistication that it took the Police Rescue & Bomb Disposal Unit almost ten hours to ascertain that it indeed was not an explosive device, and then to dismantle and remove it, in part with the telephoned assistance of a British Army major who was in Australia for training.[3] The incident, which attracted media attention worldwide,[1] was treated as an extortion investigation.[4][5]
Arrest and sentencing
Paul Douglas Peters, a man with no direct links to the victim or her family, was arrested in Kentucky after leaving Australia a few days after the incident. Police are unsure of motive, but are not looking for other suspects.[6] Peters was extradited to Australia on 24 September 2011 and was held without bail by New South Wales Police.[7] On 8 March 2012 he pleaded guilty in Sydney's Central Local Court to aggravated break and enter and detaining for advantage. On 20 November 2012, Peters was sentenced to a jail term of 13 years and 6 months, with a non-parole period of 10 years. In sentencing the judge said although Peters had marital and mental issues, he engaged in a "deliberate act of extortion" and was not in a psychotic state at the time of the offence.[8] Peters appealed his sentence to the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal. On 20 December 2013, the Court unanimously dismissed the appeal.[9]
See also
References
- 1 2 "Madeleine Pulver's Mosman bomb nightmare a hoax: police". SMH.com.au. 2011-08-04. Retrieved 2012-07-10.
- ↑ Howden, Saffron; Ralston, Nick; Olding, Rachel (5 August 2011). "Novel signature adds to bomb hoax mystery". brisbanetimes.com.au. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- ↑ Carne, Lucy (2011-08-05). "British Army expert talked squad through the dangers". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 2012-07-10.
- ↑ "BBC News - Fake bomb was chained to Madeleine Pulver's neck". BBC.co.uk. 2011-08-04. Retrieved 2012-07-10.
- ↑ Morri, Mark (2011-08-04). "Police say bomb terror in Mosman involving teenager Madeleine Pulver was a 'very elaborate hoax'". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 2012-07-10.
- ↑ "Australian police arrest man". mail.com. Retrieved 2012-07-10.
- ↑ "Suspect in bomb scare extradited to Australia". CNN.com. 2011-09-24. Retrieved 2012-07-10.
- ↑ Wells, Jamelle, staff (20 November 2012). "Extortionist jailed over Sydney collar-bomb hoax". ABC News. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
- ↑ Bibby, Paul (20 December 2013). "Paul Peters loses appeal against 10-year sentence in Maddie Pulver hoax bomb case". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 7 January 2014.