Police say Wollongbar siege accused Paul William Chesworth set up electric shock trap capable of grievous injury

Police now say a Northern Rivers engineer with a “bomb-making hobby” rigged up an electric shock trap on his door capable of inflicting grievous injuries. Here’s what’s alleged.

Emergency services in Wollongbar on Thursday. Picture: Cath Piltz

Police now allege a Northern Rivers engineer with a “bomb-making hobby” rigged up an electric shock trap on his door capable of inflicting grievous injuries.

It’s alleged by officers that 45-year-old McLeans Ridges man Paul William Chesworth put up a sign on the rigged door encouraging unwitting visitors to “press doorbell”.

Undated. Hand on Gainsborough door handle. knob – keyhole lock.

Chesworth faces a string of charges after a siege situation stretching about six hours at a home on the Bruxner Highway in the town of Wollongbar, near Lismore, last Thursday.

A concern for welfare report was made to police, who attended the property about 8am and subsequently launched the operation, which ended about 2pm.

Educational facilities were locked down, roads were closed and residents were told to shelter indoors, but police have reiterated the public was not at risk at any stage.

Ballina Local Court heard on Friday of Chesworth’s alleged “bomb-making” interest after he was arrested, accused of sparking the operation.

Emergency services at Wollongbar last Thursday. Picture: Cath Piltz

In Byron Bay Local Court on Monday, it emerged Chesworth was facing two fresh charges.

He has been accused of possessing or using a prohibited weapon without a permit and placing or setting a trap with the intention of causing grievous bodily harm.

Police allege in court documents Chesworth possessed and placed an “antipersonnel device that’s designed to administer an electric shock on contact” between 6am and 10am last Thursday.

The documents allege he had a “improvised device capable of emitting an electrical charge connected to a door knob”.

Earlier, Chesworth was charged with using a carriage service to make a hoax threat, as well as giving false information about a person/property in danger, and possessing a prohibited drug – oxycodone.

No pleas have been entered

A police roadblock on the Bruxner Highway last Thursday. Picture: Cath Piltz

Police allege Chesworth’s “threats and actions” caused “significant disruption to the local community”.

It’s also alleged his hoax involved “inducing a false belief that an explosive has been or will be left”.

Chesworth has pleaded guilty to breaching an apprehended violence order (AVO), and not guilty to a charge of reckless wounding in company, relating to an alleged October 3 attack.

It’s alleged Chesworth left a man needing a dozen facial stitches and that he later breached bail and a related AVO.

Chesworth was in Lismore Base Hospital under police guard, undergoing assessment when his case was heard in the Ballina court last week.

He did not appear in court in person on Monday.

The case was adjourned to December 7.