Thomas William Hare allegedly caught with firearms at Woronora Heights
A southern Sydney TAFE student who was charged with 23 gun-related offences, including manufacturing firearms, has applied for bail. Here’s what happened.
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A Woronora Heights TAFE student charged with 23 firearm-related offences has successfully applied for bail after his father posted a $50,000 surety.
Thomas William Hare, 18, faced Central Local Court this week via video link to apply for the bail after he was charged with 23 firearm-related offences which included manufacturing seven firearms and possessing firearm suppressors.
Court documents state the firearms were allegedly found in Hare’s car at Woronora Heights on May 22.
Police allege Hare made seven firearms – a FGC-9 machine pistol, a liberator single-shot pistol, a 30-round capacity magazine, two 25-round capacity magazines, a 17-round capacity magazine and a 15-round capacity magazine.
He allegedly possessed a FGC-9 machine pistol, a liberator single-shot pistol and two airgun pistols. He was also allegedly caught with a flick knife, two firearm suppressors and a digital blueprint for manufacturing firearms.
Hare was arrested at Sutherland Police Station where he was charged with eight counts of possessing or using a prohibited weapon without permit and seven counts of manufacturing a prohibited firearm without a licence or permit.
He was also charged with three counts of possessing an unauthorised prohibited firearm, three counts of possessing an unregistered firearm prohibited firearm and two counts of possessing a digital blueprint for manufacturing firearms.
Hare has not yet entered any pleas.
At his court appearance, police prosecutor Sargeant Chun Shieh opposed the bail application and said there was a risk of him committing further serious offences and endangering the community.
If Hare was found guilty of the allegations, a custodial sentence would be likely, Sgt Shieh said.
Hare’s lawyer Brendan Searson lodged a bail application on his client’s behalf and said if he was granted bail he would live with his father and would not be in a position to order any firearm parts online.
“There’s also no way in hell he will allow him to have a 3D printer,” he said.
Magistrate Megan Greenwood said the firearms were allegedly found in Hare’s car and it was an “overwhelming case” with admissions from the accused.
Hare had no criminal history, strong community ties, no criminal associates and he had spent a long time on remand, Ms Greenwood said.
“He is vulnerable because of his age and ADHD diagnoses, which would make custody more onerous on him,” she said.
Strict conditional bail was granted which included Hare surrendering his firearms licence, behaving well, not going near any port of international departure, not applying for a passport and can only leave home in the company of a responsible person or to travel to work or TAFE classes.
He also cannot possess a 3D printer, can only have one phone, not possess encrypted apps, not use the internet, share a bank account with his father and provide a bail security sum of $50,000.
The case has been adjourned to July 22.
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