Operation Ironside: Accused AN0M user Nathan John Ralph initiated arson attack because of ‘personal grievance’, court hears

An Ironside accused’s “personal grievance” sparked a firebomb attack which was uncovered by Operation Ironside investigators, a court has heard.

A man charged over a suburban real estate office fire bomb attack initiated through messages uncovered on the encrypted AN0M application had a “personal grievance” with someone at the agency, a court has heard.

Nathan John Ralph, 26, of Sheidow Park, appeared in the Supreme Court on Wednesday for a review of a magistrate’s decision to refuse his release on bail.

Prosecutors told the court Mr Ralph “instituted” the January 17 fire bomb attack on the offices of a real estate agency on Sturt Rd, Marion, using the AN0M app at the centre of the Operation Ironside police sting.

The app allowed law enforcement agencies to secretly monitor communications between devices containing AN0M.

Mr Ralph was arrested on June 7 along with 47 others during the operation’s “resolution day”. He was charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug, which allegedly related to the drug fantasy.

Prosecutors told the court that after Mr Ralph’s arrest – while he was in possession of one of the AN0M encrypted devices – investigators subsequently found messages linking him to the arson attack.

He was subsequently charged with aiding and abetting arson alongside two other men. Police at the time alleged the attack involved a molotov cocktail and caused “extensive damage”.

Prosecutors told the court Mr Ralph was facing “very serious” charges based on “strong and compelling” evidence, while already on bail for other drug offending.

FULL LIST: All the South Australians charged over Operation Ironside

The real estate office at Marion was extensively damaged in an arson attack in January. Pictures: 7NEWS

“The act of torching that business premises was instituted by Mr Ralph,” they said.

“The messages demonstrate the ability of Mr Ralph to exploit his criminal associations in order to procure serious criminal offences and that is particularly so in relation to the arson charge … which was instituted at the behest of Mr Ralph.

“That was done so as a means of retaliation, intimidation and punishment in respect of a personal grievance Mr Ralph has.”

The court also heard Mr Ralph had been acquitted at 10.06am on June 1 this year of a different charge of trafficking a controlled drug.

Just over an hour later, at 11.24am, prosecutors allege he was back on the AN0M app “organising for further trafficking of a controlled drug”.

Michael Abbott QC, for Mr Ralph, said the arson allegations should not be taken into account because the review of bail was sought before he was charged with that offence last week.

He asked that his client be released on strict home-detention bail to care for his sick father, who has insulin dependent diabetes and required a kidney transplant.

Mr Abbott called upon Mr Ralph’s mother, Cindy Bunder, to give evidence about the care her son provided for his ill father and her former husband.

Ms Bunder told the court she was willing to post her “life savings” with the court to secure her son’s release.

“We’ve got $20,000 saved that we are prepared to put up as a surety,” she said.

“He agreed there is no way that he would put our savings at risk.”

Mr Abbott said it was a likely two-year wait before his client would face trial.

Justice Anne Bampton dismissed the application for review of bail for reasons including the seriousness of the charges, risk of reoffending and risk Mr Ralph would interfere with the police investigation. She remanded Mr Ralph in custody.