Parramatta: Not guilty plea over alleged bomb-making kit found in bag

A teenager who was arrested after police allegedly uncovered bomb-making items in his backpack while patrolling a main street in Parramatta has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

The items were allegedly found in the teenager’s bag during a police patrol of the area.

• Sydney teen in court over alleged bomb making plot
• Guilty verdict for truck driver on painkillers in fatal Merrylands crash

A teenager who was arrested after police allegedly uncovered bomb-making items in his backpack while patrolling a main street in Parramatta has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

Samuel James Wayne Griffiths, 18, from Telopea in Sydney’s northwest, was arrested on the morning of Wednesday, May 22 after police searched his bag during a patrol on Church St.

Gunpowder, a small amount of shotgun ammunition, 1L of methylated spirits, a wick and a lighter were allegedly discovered in his bag as well as stolen goods from a nearby mall.

Police were patrolling Church St, Parramatta when they spoke to the teenager.

Police allege the items were consistent with the manufacture of an improvised explosive device (IED) and he intended to harm a specific victim.

Griffiths pleaded not guilty to the six charges against him at Parramatta Local Court yesterday.

Those charges include possess explosive/gunpowder with intent to injure or commit a serious indictable offence, possess ammunition without licence/authority and two counts of larceny.

IN OTHER NEWS

His case has been adjourned until Wednesday, July 17 and bail was refused.

Griffiths has been in custody since he was arrested.

Police allege he also had jewellery, a mobile phone case, and earphones in his bag worth about $100 which he stole from a nearby mall.