Man charged with building a bomb and making threats to Ocean View College at Taperoo

The man arrested for making bomb threats against a western suburbs school had an ongoing feud with local teens — and the equipment, materials and instructions to make a functional bomb.

The man arrested for making bomb threats against a western suburbs school had an ongoing feud with local teens — and the equipment, materials and instructions to make a functional bomb.

On Friday, SA Police said there was “no doubt” Bradley Austin, of North Haven, 67, “had the capacity to make a homemade bomb”.

However, Superintendent Anthony Fioravanti said questions remained as to whether Austin could have completed and detonated his improvised explosive device, or IED.

“Fortunately, we will never know,” he said.

Austin has been charged with various serious offences including taking steps to manufacture an explosive, possession of instructions to create an explosive, threatening to kill and possessing a dangerous article.

He faced the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court just after 3pm on Friday via telephone hookup with an undisclosed hospital.

Ocean View College posted on social media that the school alerted police about 8am on Thursday after a member of the public made online threats “against current and former members of our school community”.

Ocean View College B-12 at Taperoo. Picture: Keryn Stevens/AAP

Police subsequently searched Austin’s home and found what appeared to be a homemade bomb, while the explosives detection dog also located other items of interest.

“He did not have a completed IED … we recovered the components to make one, however there was no complete bomb located,” Supt Fioravanti said.

“He did have instructions there, in the form of a variety of mediums. There was no threat (posed) to anyone because he was arrested before making (the finished) bomb … the explosive was not to a point where it was complete.”

Supt Fioravanti said Austin “had an ongoing dispute with children within the area”, involving allegations of vandalism, graffiti and harassment both face-to-face and online.

He said he was “aware” of a Facebook page, allegedly operated by Austin under a false name, that included photos of the school and an IED.

It was that site, he said, which prompted the man’s arrest — it was reported by a parent to the school, which in turn notified police.

He said he could not answer questions about the size of, nor the potential danger posed by, the IED had it been completed.

The man’s unit at North Haven. Picture: Josephine Lim

Ocean View College principal Chris Brandwood said the school had yet to ascertain whether any of its students had been involved in the feud.

“The nature of his (threatening) statements was very much a back-and-forth with people who were online, feeding the Facebook page,” he said.

“Certainly, those threats were personalised toward those who responded online, saying he has weapons and he was going to use them.

“The school was not targeted, other than the putting up of a photo (of the grounds).”

Mr Brandwood said the incident was concerning and highlighted the real-world consequences of aggressive online behaviour.

He said the students would receive further education about the issue as part of already-established classes dealing with cyber-bullying.

Neighbours described how they saw a dozen police officers descend on Austin’s home, which had bars on the front steps and windows alongside security cameras.

Michael Lord said police surrounded and cordoned off the unit late on Thursday morning.

“They were trying to get him out of the house for a while,” he said.

“(When he came out) they sat him against the wall, next minute he went in an ambulance.

“It’s people around him that I feel sorry for … he’s a bit of a loner.”

Neighbour Graham Charles said Austin had frequent arguments with schoolchildren.

“I’ve seen the kids graffiti the walls, after that (he) put the bars up,” he said.

“(The children) they called him names … he tried to chase them and when he couldn’t he tried to retaliate, lots of nasty words.

“He was a person who stuck to himself, didn’t associate with anyone.”

Neighbour Graham Charles described the moment when cops arrested the man at North Haven units. Picture: Josephine Lim

Another neighbour, Jan Cadd, agreed, saying Austin had an altercation with some youths and took their skateboards three years ago, prompting him to set up cameras and extra security measures outside his unit.

“They chase him, tease him a bit … they come past here and pulled faces at his window,” she said.

“He’s just different, unique … but he was pleasant enough to myself.”

She was shocked to hear he was allegedly threatening students and school staff.

“It’s terrible, it’s not on,” she said.

Police reassured the public that the school provided early information, ensuring that at no time was there any direct threat to the school community.

The school’s Facebook page also stressed that students were safe.

“I would like to take this opportunity to ask you to talk to your child about the need to be respectful in their interactions with member of the public,” the post reads.

“Please contact the school if you have concerns about your children’s wellbeing and we can ensure necessary support is made available.

“Please refrain from speculating about the nature of the incident on social media.”

Ocean View College parent Dominic Ida found out a bomb threat was made to the school. Picture: Josephine Lim

Dominic Ida, whose son is a Year 12 student at Ocean View College, said he was concerned a threat was made from someone living near to the school.

“Where does it stop? What has a 67-year-old man got to do with the school?” he said.

Some parents were not aware of the threat until Friday morning but were confident the school was keeping its students safe.

A Year 12 student, who The Advertiser chose not to name, said he found out about the threat on Thursday when his mother saw a Facebook post but only realised a homemade bomb was involved a day later.

“I’m shocked because I never thought anyone in their brightest minds would think about blowing up such a good school,” he said.

“This all happened, it’s scary … my anxiety and paranoia have come flaring up since hearing about it.”

At the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday, Austin’s counsel asked Magistrate Bob Harrap to order a bail inquiry report ahead of a hearing next week.

They said their client had “significant health issues, mental health and other health-related” and had been detained under state legislation pending the bail decision.

Police prosecutors indicated they would oppose Austin’s release under any form of bail.

Mr Harrap remanded Austin in custody until next week and asked whether he understood what had occurred.

“Yeah, yeah, I understand. The solicitor explained a lot of it, most of it, to me,” Austin replied.

“I think I’ve got the picture, Your Honour.”