A 66-year-old man has been charged in connection with the Gosford legal bombings, which targeted the offices of Conditsis Lawyers.
Gary Steven Middleton was arrested at his Wallarah home on Friday, December 6, shortly before he was due to appear in Gosford District Court on an unrelated matter.
The bombings occurred on Thursday, December 5, when the third floor of the Kensmen building, opposite Gosford Courthouse and home to Conditsis Lawyers, was attacked. Court documents revealed that Conditsis Lawyers had previously represented Middleton, with Legal Aid funding his defence.
Police confirmed that Middleton was arrested around 1.30 pm Friday, December 6, and charged with two counts of destroying or damaging property with intent to endanger life. He was denied bail.
The Gosford Courthouse was placed on high alert with extra security, as police processed the crime scene across the road.
According to Brisbane Water Superintendent Darryl Jobson, CCTV footage captured the attacker entering a nearby Legal Aid NSW office, where he allegedly ignited an improvised explosive device (IED) made from a small LPG cylinder. The attacker then reportedly moved to the Kensmen building, where he placed a second LPG device on the third floor, causing a fire that was extinguished before any injuries occurred.
Superintendent Jobson described the bombings as a “callous and brazen attack” and confirmed a strike force has been established to investigate the incidents.
The Gosford Courthouse was locked down for several hours while the NSW Police Bomb Squad conducted a sweep of the premises.
Source: The Daily Telegraph.
