NCA bombing trial key witness Allan Chamberlain in court for first time

The key witness in the NCA bombing trial has finally taken the stand – and told the story of the day he walked into a police station and shot himself in the chest.

The key witness in the NCA bombing trial once shot himself in the chest at a police station, with an officer’s pistol, to demonstrate a bulletproof vest he wanted to sell, a court has heard.

On Wednesday, Allan “Gadget” Chamberlain told the Supreme Court he sold 22 vests and made $28,000 following his “dramatic” presentation on December 12, 1990.

He said it was part of his long career as an agent for US companies that sold lifesaving and protective equipment to police officers, firefighters and ambulance officers.

“It was at the Hindmarsh police station, and I was demonstrating what’s called ‘soft armour’ in person, in front of officers, with a pistol … I shot a bullet into the vest I was wearing,” he said.

“I used an officer’s pistol to highlight the fact that, in their job, probably their greatest threat was their weapon being taken and used against them.

“It had been prearranged that I would be demonstrating the vest but I had not informed them that I was, essentially, going to shoot myself.

“To say the demonstration was dramatic and successful, well, it was very good.”

Domenic Perre, 63, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Detective Sergeant Geoffrey Bowen and attempting to murder lawyer Peter Wallis in March 1994.

Allan Chamberlain outside the Supreme Court on Wednesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette

Domenic Perre is led into Adelaide Magistrates Court during an earlier appearance. Picture: Nine News

An evidence photo showing inside the NCA building after the bomb went off. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dean Martin

Prosecutors allege that, motivated by “festering hatred”, Perre built and sent a parcel bomb to the NCA’s Adelaide office.

They allege that, in mid to late 1993, Perre asked Mr Chamberlain to store his extensive gun collection and other materials under his shed.

They further allege that, the day before the bombing, Perre also gave Mr Chamberlain books, three lengths of detonation cord, 11 detonators and a telephone debugging device to store.

Perre’s counsel, however, say the murder case is based on “folklore” not forensics.

They say a Pandora’s box of weapons found in Mr Chamberlain’s shed belonged to him, not Perre.

They also claim he warned a neighbour he could “blow you away” without “being anywhere in sight”.

Mr Chamberlain’s evidence was delayed by his refusal to release his late mother’s diary, detailing his movements, to defence counsel, citing a wish to protect her privacy.

NCA bombing key witness Allan Chamberlain (centre) outside the Supreme Court with lawyers and support staff. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette

On Wednesday, Mr Chamberlain agreed to hand over the diary so long as only one copy was made by defence counsel, and they destroyed it after reading.

In his evidence, he said he worked for many years as an agent for 167 different US companies, selling protective equipment such as body armour and batons to SA’s law enforcement, prison authorities, and emergency services personnel.

“Saving police officers in firearms and stabbing situations, that appealed to me,” he said.

“In previous consultations with (the US company), the owner and inventor of the body armour said he regularly shot himself as a demonstration,” he said.

“(Another seller) never pulled the trigger, whereas I did.”

The trial, before Justice Kevin Nicholson, continues.