Zachary Joseph Weir pleads not guilty to manufacturing explosive device

A father from Adelaide’s north has pleaded not guilty to police claims he manufactured an explosive device which alerted the bomb squad.

An Andrews Farm father of two has pleaded not guilty to the manufacture of an explosive device which had to be assessed by the bomb squad.

Zachary Joseph Weir, 36, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday afternoon on two charges relating to the possession of supplies and taking steps in the manufacture of an explosive device.

Magistrate John Wells told the court police allege between August 27 and September 5, 2020 at Andrews Farm he manufactured a device

They also claim on September 4 last year he possessed a device.

He will face trial in the District Court of South Australia in July.

Weir appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Picture: Ben Cameron.

Weir pleaded not guilty to a charge he manufactured an explosive device. Picture: Ben Cameron.

At a previous hearing at Elizabeth Magistrates Court in September last year, the prosecution claimed firecrackers were wrapped together with duct tape and cable ties with a fuse inserted, while some devices had ball bearings attached.

The police prosecutor said the items were assessed and deemed explosives by SA Police’s bomb response unit.

“Four of the items made by the defendant, were made by tying firecrackers together,” the prosecutor said.

“They were just mucking around to see if they could destroy a metal bucket.

“It was going to be blown up.”

Weir’s lawyer, Vanessa Cream, said at the time they were “certainly very serious matters” but maintained her client was just “mucking around” at home.

“He wasn’t aware of how serious this was. He’s certainly aware now,” Ms Cream said.