Jacob Rhys Munns sentenced for possessing extremist material, harassing Peter Dutton

A “detonation” video, rantings of the New Zealand mosque shooter and a homemade crossbow. These are just some of the chilling finds in the home of a Peter Dutton-hating Qld man.

Police made shocking finds while attending Jacob Rhys Munns’ property in Ravenshoe, Far North Queensland, after Peter Dutton received ‘rambling’ emails from Munns.

A “detonation” video, rantings of the New Zealand mosque shooter and a crossbow. These are just some of the chilling finds in the home of a Peter Dutton-hating Queensland man, a court heard.

Police made the shocking finds while attending Jacob Rhys Munns’ property in Ravenshoe, Far North Queensland, after Peter Dutton received “rambling” emails from Munns in April which the court heard were “seriously concerning”.

The first emails spoke of weapons, with Munns saying “I’ll sign your name to the next rocket I send upwards” and “if I sound a little insane that is to be expected, that problem belongs to Bill Shorten”.

In another email Munns said Peter Dutton was complicit in murder for hire, concealing of crime, and corruption.

Police then executed a search warrant on Munns’ address where they seized a phone, laptop, hard drives, a homemade crossbow, and a powerful laser pointer.

On the laptop police found video of Munns detonating rocket candy in his backyard which a court heard was “highly dangerous”.

He told police normally it was not quite so dangerous but because it was in plastic packaging that melted, more pressure was formed in the vessel on this occasion.

Police found a recording of the 2019 massacre at the Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch by Brendan Tarrant. FILE PHOTO

Police also discovered violent extremist material — a recording of the 2019 massacre at the Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch by Brendan Tarrant.

Munns also had a copy of Tarrant’s twisted manifesto.

On Thursday he appeared in a Bowen courthouse via video link, pleading guilty to possessing extremist material, using a carriage service to menace, harass, or cause offence, along with explosives and weapons charges.

The court heard while on bail for the serious charges Munns called the National Security Hotline, telling them he had been classified as a terrorist and had 10 kilos of explosives and a long-range rifle that he needed to turn in.
He was placed back in custody as a result and has served a total of 91 days on remand.

Munns told the court he was not in a well state of mind at the time of the phone call.

Police then executed a search warrant on Munns’ address where they seized a phone, laptop, hard drives, a homemade crossbow, and a powerful laser pointer. FILE PHOTO

Cleo Rewald from Richards Rewald Lawyers appeared for Munns telling the court the 36-year-old was dealing with mental health issues at the time of the incidents which were exacerbated by being unable to see his daughter.

She told the court Munns was receiving assistance for those issues while in custody and was now on medication but would need to be under supervision when he was released.

He has a carer and a mental health plan already in place.

Peter Dutton received “rambling” emails from Munns in April which the court heard were “seriously concerning”.

Munns told the court he understood the weight of what he had done.

“I was a soldier for a few years of my life, so I understand the threat I posed by the explosives, I understand the waste of state resources that this matter has become, I just want to apologise, these actions will not be repeated, ” he said.

Magistrate Anna Smith noted Munns had no criminal history and was clearly suffering from mental health issues but said these charges were serious.

“That explosive could have caused injury to yourself and anyone else present at your home at that time,” she said.

Munns was sentenced to a total of six months jail, with immediate parole and the 91 days declared time served.
He was also placed on a $1000 good behaviour bond for 12 months. Convictions were recorded.