Explosives 'intended for bikies'
A 25-year-old man has been refused bail in Perth Magistrates Court today after being charged with receiving and being in possession of 100kg of explosives which he allegedly intended to sell to an outlaw motorcycle gang.
Former Higginsville mine worker Joshua James Preece, of East Perth, is accused of entering into an agreement with current Higginsville mine worker Robert Ivan Crinall, 26, to steal explosives.
Mr Preece and his girlfriend, Sarah Julie Murphy, 23, drove to the mine site near Kambalda on May 4 to collect the explosives, police allege.
Police searched the pair's Mitsubishi Magna the following day and allegedly located 152 cartridges of detonator sensitive explosive Senatal Magnum and five detonators.
A police prosecutor told the court Mr Preece intended to sell the explosives to an outlaw motorcycle gang for $170,000.
Mr Preece was remanded in custody until May 13, when he is due to appear in Perth Magistrates Court via video link.
Magistrate Richard Bayly refused to grant Mr Preece bail due to the seriousness of the charges and because he was considered a risk of returning to New Zealand where he has family.
Both Ms Murphy and Mr Preece were charged with possession of explosives in suspicious circumstances and duty to minimise risk from dangerous goods.
They also faced charges of receiving explosives and unlicensed possession of dangerous goods.
Ms Murphy was granted bail and is due to re-appear in Perth Magistrates Court on May 13.
She was instructed to live at her parents' address, abide by a curfew between 8pm and 6pm and report to police when required. She was also instructed not to contact Mr Preece or Mr Crinall.
Ms Murphy broke down crying when the judge said she could not contact Mr Preece.
Ms Murphy's lawyer Michelle Arnold said her client had been made aware of her partner's plans one week before her arrest.
"She didn't think he would go through with it, but on Monday he stated he was going to Kalgoorlie to obtain the explosives," she said.
Ms Arnold said the pair drove to a bush location in Kalgoorlie to collect the explosives on Monday May 4.
They allegedly attempted to transport the explosives to Perth but were arrested in Northam early the next morning.
