Letterbox bombers slapped with fines

THE remaining pair from the trio that went on a late-night expedition of blowing up letterboxes back in June has been sentenced over the offences.

THE remaining pair from the trio that went on a late-night expedition of blowing up letterboxes back in June has been sentenced over the offences.

Tyler Aaron Grant and Ashlea Skye Payne both pleaded guilty in the Warwick Magistrates Court yesterday to wilful damage.

Their other accomplice, Thomas William Edward Fagg, was last month sentenced to 15 months probation and 100 hours of community service for his involvement.

The court yesterday heard the trio collected supplies for their homemade soda bombs from a number of Warwick stores on June 17.

Later that evening the two men asked Payne, 19, to pick them up in her vehicle and drive them to their first victim's home in Rowland St.

Upon arrival at the property, Fagg put a soda bomb in the letterbox, which exploded and destroyed the property.

The court heard at this point Payne refused to drive 21-year-old Grant and Fagg to any more properties, but did allow them to use her vehicle and was present for more bombings.

Grant yesterday pleaded guilty to involvement in the destruction of seven letterboxes and one rubbish bin and Payne was sentenced over four letterboxes.

Police prosecutor Steve de Lissa told the court the bin caught fire after being blown up and the homeowner had to use a hose to extinguish the blaze.

The rubbish bin was destroyed.

In sentencing Grant yesterday, Magistrate Graham Lee highlighted the impact the offences would have had on the victims.

"You can see how disturbing it would be for a homeowner to have their letterbox blown up," he said.

Grant was slapped with a $1000 fine and ordered to pay $296.72 in restitution.

Payne was let off a little easier, with a $250 fine and restitution bill of $123.20.

No convictions were recorded.