Man with a car full of explosives wanted to join the police

A MAN arrested for allegedly impersonating a police officer with a boot-full of explosives has told a court he wanted to be a police officer.

A MAN arrested for allegedly impersonating a police officer with a boot-full of explosives has told a court he wanted to be a police officer.

The court heard Glyn William Newton, 30, held aspirations to join the police force and had a fascination with fireworks, which is what he claims the explosives were.

Police had to shut down one lane of the Ipswich Mwy at Wacol on Friday night before detonating the explosives on the road side.

Newton appeared in the Ipswich Magistrates Court yesterday where he was granted bail.

The court heard Newton allegedly had fake police lights installed in his car which he used to pull motorists over on the side of the road while he drove at high speeds.

Police allege Newton drove from Toowoomba to Ipswich at speeds of up to 160kmh. He was pulled over at Wacol where a police search found 11 containers, which the court heard were the size of large vitamin containers, with fuses in them and fake police equipment.

According to the objection to bail tendered to the court he had authentic police uniforms, epaulettes and a badge in his possession at his McDowell house in Brisbane.

Magistrate Matthew McLaughlin said Newton had told police he bought the items from eBay and wanted to become an officer.

"He may have done some damage to his chances there," Mr McLaughlin said.

Newton faces a number of explosives charges, illegally possessing an extendable baton, possessing dangerous drugs and drug utensils and three counts of impersonating a police officer.

Mr McLaughlin said while the police appeared to have a strong case he did not believe Newton posed a threat to the community of re-offending and granted him bail.

Newton has been barred from the roads as part of his bail undertaking.

Mr McLaughlin said police had not provided him with any evidence the explosives were not homemade fireworks as Newton claimed.

Police prosecutor senior sergeant Kevin Carmont said it was "but for the grace of god no one got hurt".

Sgt Carmont said police were so concerned they were forced to detonate them on the roadside, causing significant damage to the road.

Newton was released on bail with the matter adjourned until March 17.

Originally published as Man with a car full of explosives wanted to join the police