Colin Shane Bridge, 42, in Beenleigh Court for New Beith bomb explosion PSPA

A man charged over a homemade bomb that caused the evacuation of a street in Logan has revealed the reason why he had it sitting on his kitchen table as police raided his house.

Colin Shane Bridge, 42, leaving Beenleigh Magistrates Court

A homemade bomb that caused the evacuation of a street in Logan when it had to be detonated by police during a raid, has landed a man in court.

On September 9 last year police conducted a raid on a property in New Beith and discovered a homemade explosive device.

A public safety preservation act was declared which saw three neighbouring homes evacuated and officers were forced to detonate the device, for the safety of the area.

The man responsible, 42-year-old Colin Shane Bridge, faced Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Wednesday, October 4.

The New Beith excavator operator pleaded guilty to unlawful dealing with explosive substances, unlawful possession of a weapon and authority required to possess explosives.

The court heard the homemade bomb had shrapnel inside and was located on the kitchen table of the home.

Bridge was also found in possession of fireworks which he said he used with friends at their rural properties.

A PSPA was declared at New Beith in September, 2022 after a home made explosive device was found at a home

Police prosecutor Sergeant Stephen Cochrane said the homemade device was a serious concern to the community.

“The most serious charge is possession of the bomb, where it was forced to be exploded for the safety of the area,” he said.

“The assessment of the bomb squad was that the improvised explosive device was dangerous to transport, had shrapnel inside it and had to be exploded on scene.

“This makes it a particularly pernicious weapon.”

Bridge told police the bomb was an ornament in his home and had no malicious intent.

The court heard Bridge had gone 38 years without offending but got involved in a toxic, drug-fuelled relationship which was the catalyst for his behaviour.

Magistrate Michael O’Driscoll said the charges were very concerning.

“You are not authorised to have anything to do with fireworks. They have been illegal in this state for several years,” he said.

“In terms of the bomb, that device was on the kitchen table and could have exploded at any time.”

Bridge was sentenced to a three-year probation order and convictions were recorded.