Court hears Phillip John Copley, caught with dozens of homemade explosives, had ‘very unhealthy hobby’

An Adelaide man has explained in court why he had a collection homemade illegal explosives that caused him to suffer third-degree burns.

Phillip John Copley suffered third-degree burns after a black powder explosion at his Woodcroft home in September 2019. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Kathryn Bermingham

An Adelaide man caught with dozens of homemade explosives, including rockets and pipe bombs, says the collection was nothing more than a “very unhealthy hobby” intended only for use while rabbit hunting.

Phillip John Copley, 52, suffered third-degree burns to his arms, face and chest after a black powder explosion at his home at Woodcroft, south of the CBD, in September last year.

Police found five homemade rockets, nearly 30 improvised explosive devices, including pipe bombs, and 28 homemade fireworks at the house.

They also located black powder, sparkler dust and rocket fuel as well as weapons including knives, crossbows and tasers.

Police at the scene of the explosion in September last year. Picture: Elizabeth Henson

The District Court heard on Monday that Copley was suffering from extensive health issues, including an auto-immune disease that attacks his spine, and he became interested in explosives after he was no longer able to work.

“This was a man who developed … a very unhealthy hobby in terms of the construction of these devices,” defence counsel Alex Rice told the court.

“It went down the rabbit hole, so to speak, in terms of manufacturing, first of all black powder and then making these devices.”

“The construction of increasingly sophisticated explosive devices was an exercise in intellectual stimulation.”

Mr Rice said his client never intended to use the devices to hurt people or damage property.

“He didn’t really intend to do anything, it only went as far, in his mind, as going rabbit hunting with them,” he said.

Phillip John Copley (left) leaves the District Court on Monday with his brother. He will be sentenced in December. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Kathryn Bermingham

The court heard Copley had been self-medicating with cannabis and amphetamines at the time of the explosion, but he is now accessing pain relief “legitimately”.

Mr Rice asked Judge Adam Kimber to impose a suspended sentence for reasons including his client’s health issues and his remorse, but prosecutor Brigid Symes called for an immediate prison term

“This is serious offending which directly endangered the community,” she said.

“It’s clear that Mr Copley’s actions could have caused serious explosions and had the potential to endanger lives and damage property.”

Copley has pleaded guilty to multiple explosives charges, including possessing supplies and taking steps in the manufacture of an explosive.

Judge Kimber continued his bail ahead of sentencing in December.

He made no comment as he left court with his brother.