- Westfield buyer accused of plotting terror attack
- Sebastian Newman allegedly threw bottles into the toilet
A man who allegedly detonated chemical explosives in Westfield has been charged with planning a terrorist attack.
Sebastian Newman, 21, allegedly threw bottles filled with chemicals into the toilets at Westfield Miranda in Sydney’s south at 2pm last Thursday.
An explosion was heard inside the bathroom before police were called to the scene and officers arrested Newman.
He was charged with leaving a substance to create a false belief of danger, possession of a chemical explosive device and possession of a knife in a public place.
New South Wales Police laid additional charges against Newman in Sutherland Local Court on Thursday alleging he collected or fabricated documents relating to terrorism.
Court documents allege Newman prepared the bottles of bleach and alcohol and wrote a manifesto before posting it online.
A NSW Police spokesman said officers would allege the man had “mixed and unclear ideological beliefs”.
He remains in custody and is due to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on 25 September.
A man who allegedly detonated chemical explosives in Westfield has been charged with planning a terrorist attack
One of the bottles exploded and police were immediately called to the scene and arrested Newman.
Following the additional charges, police reiterated their call for people with information about “extremist activity or potential threats to the community” to come forward “no matter how small or insignificant they think the information may be.”
“The national security hotline is 1800 123 400,” they said.