Coffs man pleads not guilty to detonating explosive at Bellingen home

Police alleged two women and a child were inside the home when an explosive was detonated.

Peter Maryvale will stand trial at Coffs Harbour District Court after pleading not guilty to allegations he detonated an explosive at a Bellingen home over four years ago. Photo: Coffs Coast Advocate

A Coffs Harbour man is set to stand trial over allegations he detonated an explosive at a rural Bellingen Shire home, with the intention to cause injury, over four years ago.

During his arraignment at Coffs Harbour District Court on Wednesday, Peter Maryvale, 30, stood before Judge Jonathan Priestley and pleaded not guilty to a total of three charges in relation to the December 2016 incident.

The court heard that the device made from flash powder was allegedly placed outside the rear bedroom of the home on the evening of December 7 and damaged the exterior window and wall, as well as items inside the dwelling.

Police alleged that two women and a child were inside the home at the time however no one was injured.

Maryvale is facing a charge of causing the explosion with the intention of causing grievous bodily harm to any person, and alternative charges of placing an explosive device near a building with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and causing intentional damage by way of explosive.

Maryvale, who was charged in 2020 following investigation by Strike Force Iwunda detectives, is also accused by police of being in the company of other persons at the time.

The prosecution told Judge Jonathan Priestley that they anticipated the trial would take an estimated seven days, and intended to call up to ten witnesses including three civilians. The defence however disputed this and said they believed the trial would likely instead take up to ten days.

Maryvale’s case will return to Coffs Harbour District Court on July 14 for a readiness hearing.