Krista Schade
11 December 2024, 10:01 PM
Thirty-three-year-old Timacoy Jason Williams remained in custody after pleading guilty to all charges at his October 4 appearance at Griffith Local Court and was sentenced on November 20 by Magistrate Wright.
For the two charges of possess explosive device in public place, one charge of possessing a prohibited drug and one charge of custody of a knife in public place, Williams received concurrent sentences of 22 month of imprisonment, to be served in the community.
On a second charge of prohibited drug possession Williams was convicted under Section 10A but no penalty was imposed.
Williams’ Intensive Correction Order states he must not commit any offence and must submit to supervision by the Lismore Community Corrections District Office.
Williams is also to perform 120 hours of community service and address his mental health and substance abuse issues.
The charges relate to the discovery of two suspected pipe bombs in a vehicle stopped on the Sturt Highway near Hay on September 30.
The discovery resulted in 50 kilometres of the highway being closed for eight hours between Hay and Maude, while Police investigated.
The court heard Williams acted suspiciously during a routine traffic stop, where he was the passenger in the vehicle, smelt of cannabis and was not wearing a seatbelt. When asked for his ID, an agitated Williams gave a false name.
The driver produced a positive drug test on the roadside, leading Police to further search the vehicle.
Officers searched the car and found a black sports bag in the passenger side footwell, which contained cannabis and two silver metal cylinders with fuses which officers identified as pipe bombs.
A jewellery box and a satchel bag containing a wallet with Williams' true name on it were also found.
The box and bag were searched and police found cannabis and a clear resealable bag containing a crystal substance believed to be methamphetamine.
A 29.5-centimetre knife was also found under the passenger seat.
Police also found other items including a 'Mongrels' outlaw motorcycle gang vest, a black ski mask and black tactical gloves.
At an earlier appearance the court heard Williams has ties to bikie gangs and had what was referred to as an “extensive criminal history.”
Williams’ sentence will expire on September 19, 2026.
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