Canterbury IED: Ninth person charged over explosion
A ninth man has been charged over an IED explosion that left a woman with serious burns in Sydney’s inner west. Eight others are already before the courts including an apprentice plumber and a Macquarie University student.
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- Eight face court after alleged drug ring smashed following IED blast
- Eight arrested over IED which could have killed a woman: Police
A ninth person has been charged over an IED that exploded and left a woman with serious burns to her body in Sydney’s inner west.
An 18-year-old man, from Campsie, was arrested at his home about 12.20pm yesterday (Monday) making him the ninth person charged over the detonation of the IED (Improved Explosive Device) made of sparklers, aerosol cans and thumb tacks at the woman’s home in Canterbury on June 8.
As a result of the blast homeowner Denise Lavell suffered serious burns to her face, hands, chest and legs.
Police also seized a Mazda 3 at the man’s home which will undergo forensic examination.
The teen was taken to Burwood Police Station where he was charged with causing an explosive to be placed in or near building.
He was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Burwood Local Court on Monday 7 September 2020.
It comes after a special strike force arrested eight men, aged 18 to 20, last Thursday.
Among the eight arrested were former Waverley College student Joshua Lowe, 19, from Malabar, Jeremy Nguyen, 18, from Wattle Grove, and Nicholas Sguras, 20, from Zetland who faced court last Friday – with bail refused for all.
Apprentice plumber Massimo Lombardo, 18, from Croydon Park was also refused bail at Burwood Local Court last Thursday and Zhane Thompson, 19, from Concord, was released on bail under strict conditions including a curfew.
Patrick Ahn, 19, from Yagoona, was also charged with causing an explosive to explode with intent to cause harm and was also refused bail to return to Bankstown Court on October 8.
Two others, including a 19-year-old from Punchbowl and 17-year-old from Zetland, are before the courts.
Speaking after the arrests, police said the IED had “real potential” to kill or seriously maim the 55-year-old.
Detective superintendent Paul Devaney said police will allege it was an act of “retribution” from an alleged theft of prohibited drugs and that Ms Lavell was allegedly targeted in an act of “mistaken identity.”