Joshua Lowe: Canterbury IED co-accused granted bail

The father of an ex-Waverley College boy accused of heading up a drug dealing operation has offered $100k to get his son out on bail after months in custody.

A former Waverley College student who is accused of heading an alleged drug operation which police uncovered after the detonation of an IED has been granted bail after his dad put up $100,000 surety.

Joshua Paul Lowe, 19, from Malabar, was one of nine arrested after a police investigation following an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) made of sparklers, aerosol cans and thumb tacks that went off at a woman’s Canterbury home on June 8.

As a result of the blast Denise Lavell suffered serious burns to her face and body and police alleged it had the “real potential to kill.”

Joshua Lowe faced Burwood Court via AVL for a release application

The Macquarie University commerce student was arrested in August after a special strike force raided multiple homes across Sydney.

Lowe was charged with six offences including taking part in a criminal group and multiple drugs offences.

According to police facts, he allegedly took part in the supply of 320g of cannabis, 24g of MDMA, 19g of cocaine and possessed a pill encapsulator for the making of MDMA between June 8 and August 11 in Zetland.

Nine arrested as part of investigation into IED detonation that injured a woman in Sydney’s inner west earlier this year. Picture: NSW Police

Lowe had his hair up in a tight bun as he appeared via screen at Burwood Local Court on Wednesday for a fresh bail application.

In court, the police prosecutor argued Lowe was “one of the principles” of the alleged drug operation.

He told the court that Lowe had allegedly made “particular admissions” upon his arrest.

“He allegedly admits to sending a Snapchat message seeking the address of the victim,” the prosecutor told the court.

Police established a crime scene at a home in Canterbury after an explosive device ignited in the face of a woman. Pics Bill Hearne

“He allegedly admitted the purpose (of the IED) was for retaliation,” he added.

The court heard telephone intercepts form part of the prosecution’s case.

Police also alleged that Lowe “actively directed” the co-accused after the explosion.

The court previously heard allegations he was “heavily involved” in the organisation of the alleged drug supply including “setting up” drug transactions and runners.

Yet his lawyer told the court that he was only charged with drugs offences – but not for the IED.

Joshua Lowe was granted bail at Burwood Local Court on Wednesday

“It’s put before me for contextual purposes,” Magistrate Greg Grogin said.

His lawyer said the facts stated he was not at the scene of the blast. “He did not want any part of it so he left,” she said.

“He never went there at all. It’s not the case that he assisted.”

She further argued he was a 20-year-old man who had never been before the courts and has spent more than three months in custody since his arrest.

His lawyer said he had been accepted into residential rehabilitation centre Odyssey House if he were to be granted bail and his parents offered a $100,000 surety.

Magistrate Grogin said there were “substantial telephone intercepts” and that Lowe seemed to be a “mover and shaker” after police alleged he was a “principle” in the alleged drug operation.

Yet he said that Odyssey House was a respected rehabilitation program and granted his bail under strict conditions.

Lowe was ordered to not be in public unless in the company of his father Wayne Lowe who is to take him directly from prison to Odyssey House.

He was also ordered not to leave the facility unless for legal or medical purposes.

Lowe’s matter will return to court on February 10 along with all co-accused.