Man accused of threats, intimidation, car bombing cries as he faces court

The man at the centre of an alleged two-week campaign of intimidation, threats and a car bombing sparked by the beeping of a car horn cried as he faced court for the first time today.

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A Lake Heights man at the centre of an alleged two-week campaign of intimidation, threats and car bombing cried as he faced court for the first time on Wednesday.

Ryan Sharp, 33, appeared at Wollongong Local Court via audio visual link following his arrest by the Public Order and Riot Squad at BP service station at Warrawong early on Tuesday morning.

Sharp is accused of sending death threats to a Koonawarra woman via social media, and putting an explosive device in her car, following the simple beeping of the car horn in a McDonald’s drive-through.

Members of the Fixated Persons Investigations Unit arrest Sharp over the alleged car bombing and intimidation in Warrawong. Picture: NSW Police

Police allege after the victim sounded the horn of her Ford Ranger at Warrawong McDonalds on February 22, she was followed from the car park by Sharp’s 31-year-old partner, who noted the registration number and reported the incident to police, claiming the other driver was in the wrong.

The next day, it is alleged the windows of the Ford Ranger were smashed as Sharp and his partner tracked down the victim through social media and began a barrage of threatening calls and emails.

Police say the alleged car bomb was a “sophisticated” IED. Picture: NSW Police

In the early hours of March 5, police allege Sharp used improvised explosive devices to blow up the Ford Ranger in the driveway of the victim’s home.

Detectives from Lake Illawarra Police Area Command established Strike Force Cleary to investigate the initial reports of harassment and intimidation and called in the elite Fixated Persons Investigations Unit after the alleged victim’s Ford Ranger was blown up.

Sharp’s partner was charged with being an accessory after the fact to destroying property and stalking. Picture: NSW Police

Sharp is facing 10 charges, including placing an explosive in or near a vehicle with intent to cause harm, use carriage service to threaten to kill and destroy or damage property.

He did not apply for bail and his case was adjourned to tomorrow.

Sharp cried during the brief appearance and waved to his sister who was sitting in the courtroom.

His partner was charged with being an accessory after the fact to destroying property and stalking. She was granted strict conditional bail at Wollongong Police Station on Tuesday, to face court on May 22.