Allan Ray Craig in court for alleged Mackay Mental Health Centre bomb threat

Prosecutors said a man charged with pouring fuel onto a mental health clinic made comments that “amounted to a confession” as his lawyers withdrew from the matter.

Prosecutors said a man charged with pouring fuel onto a mental health clinic made comments that “amounted to a confession” as his lawyers withdrew from the matter.

A man charged with pouring fuel onto a mental health clinic made comments nearing a confession as his lawyers withdrew from the matter.

Allan Ray Craig is alleged to have made a bomb threat at Mackay Mental Health Centre on November 4, 2022.

Mackay District Court heard on Monday that Mr Craig wanted to plead guilty to the charge and face sentence that day.

Crown prosecutor Cameron Wilkins said the defendant had effectively confessed at the last court mention on November 14, 2023.

“The defendant made certain comments that amounted to a confession to the offence,” Mr Wilkins said.

“He said ‘I’m guilty of doing it, I’m just mentally unfit’.

“(Judge Gregory Lynham) noted ‘This is recorded proceeding, you may want to watch what you say’.

Allan Ray Craig told the court: ‘I’m guilty of doing it, I’m just mentally unfit’. Photo: Zoe Devenport

“To which (Mr Craig) said ‘I’m just telling the truth, mate’.”

Allan Ray Craig is charged with one count of bomb hoax – place article or substance over the incident at Mackay Community Mental Health Service on November 4, 2022.

Defence lawyer Daniel Lane said ATSILS was withdrawing from the matter as Mr Craig had refused to provide relevant paperwork.

LAQ lawyer Danny Yarrow appeared as friend of the court and said Mr Craig’s matters had been suspended under the Mental Health Court Act but were not anymore.

Judge Jennifer Rosengren said suggested to Mr Craig “it would be a very, very good idea to have a lawyer”, to which he replied “I’ll be fine Your Honour”.

Allan Ray Craig appeared in Mackay District Court on Monday for allegedly throwing petrol on a mental health centre. Photo: Zoe Devenport

Mr Wilkins said he was concerned about proceeding to sentence or arraignment with Mr Craig self-representing.

“I don’t know if since that (confession) comment was made my friend’s office has made any investigations into the defendant’s mental state,” Mr Wilkins said.

“And it is not an appropriate matter to rush through without dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s.”

Judge Rosengren agreed and Mr Craig’s matters were adjourned to callover on December 12.

Originally published as Allan Ray Craig in court for alleged Mackay Mental Health Centre bomb threat