Victim's son named in bomb attack

Les Kennedy

July 18, 2008

A HOME-MADE bomb that killed a noted Sydney scientist as he mowed his lawn was made of the same materials as terrorist bombs that devastated the London underground in 2005, a court has heard.

Central Local Court was told yesterday that Jonathan Lowe, the son of the victim, Dr Lionel Barry Lowe, had ordered a friend to help make a bomb that was triggered remotely by a mobile phone.

Jonathan Lowe was named by police in a statement presented to the magistrate, Allan Moore, when the 26-year-old fitter machinist Ashley Glenn Wright, of Arcadia, appeared, charged with the manslaughter of Dr Lowe.

Police said the 67-year-old retired agricultural scientist died after being hit by shrapnel from a pipe bomb placed in a skip in the backyard of his home in Mitchell Road, Dural, on May 19.
Dr Lowe, a father of five had been cutting the lawn on a ride-on mower.

Police alleged bomb-making components including the "highly volatile" home-made explosive triacetone triperoxide (TATP) and mobile phones were found in a granny flat on the property, occupied by Jonathan Lowe, who denied knowledge of them and has not been charged.

The court heard that police were attempting to verify the movements of Lowe on the day of his father's death.

Police said Lowe was detained on May 20 "on suspicion of possessing explosives" but has been released. Police are waiting for results of tests for explosive residue from his hands and clothing.
Police allege Wright admitted to constructing the bomb and manufacturing the TATP, while also making a circuit board for Lowe, who told him it was to be used for a mobile-phone-activated home alarm system.

"The accused stated that Jonathan Lowe persistently badgered him to construct the explosive device," the statement read. "[Jonathan] Lowe had told the accused that he was going to set the device off in the bush. The accused informed police that Lowe had informed him that he had placed the explosive device outside but the accused did not exactly know where."

Wright, who also admitted to having made TATP two years ago, is also charged with maliciously exploding an explosive device causing grievous bodily harm to Dr Lowe, and negligently handling explosives.

Wright, who appeared before the court on a video link, sought bail, which was opposed by Matthew Laffan, a solicitor for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Mr Laffan said police were still trying to determine a motive for why the bomb was constructed, but that it was similar to bombs in a terrorist manual that had been used in bombings abroad. However, he conceded that there was no link to any terrorist organisation.

Mr Moore granted Wright bail of $10,000 and ordered that he reappear before the court on September 4.

Wright was released from the Silverwater Remand Prison last night, and left in the boot of his parents' car.

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