Article: Student walks free after bomb hoax shuts down rail network

[Fares_Fair]

Article: Student walks free after bomb hoax shuts down rail network
by Tony Keim
From: The Courier-Mail
May 22, 2012 3:51PM

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/student-walks-free-after-bomb-hoax-shuts-down-rail-network/story-e6freoof-1226363641106

A UNIVERSITY student who shut down Brisbane's train network during peak hour by claiming he had a bomb in his backpack days before the 9/11 10th anniversary has walked free from court.
The Brisbane District Court heard Cody Tristan Michael Swindells, 21, asked two Queensland Rail staff how "cool" they thought he was when he declared he had a "bomb in his bag" at the South Brisbane railway station at 5.15pm on September 9 last year.

The court was told Swindells, a Griffith University Law and Arts student, told staff: "I have a bomb in my bag."

Judge Marshall Irwin was told when the staff did not respond, Swindells said: "No really, I have a bomb in by bag. Cool, hey?"

Prosecutor Mathew Thompson said a female staffer responded to the second comment, saying it was "odd, not cool", moments before Swindells boarded a Gold Coast-bound train.

He said police were promptly notified, resulting in the Brisbane rail network being shut down during Friday night peak hour for 40 minutes.

Swindells, now aged 23, was sentenced to two year's probation after pleading guilty to one count of a bomb hoax.

The Crown had asked Swindells be sentenced to an actual term of imprisonment.

Mr Thompson said Swindells was dragged from the train at South Bank, one station from where he made the threat, while sitting calmly amusing himself on his laptop computer, with headphones on.

He said Swindells "rolled his eyes and smirked at police" when a QR staff member pointed him at as the person claiming to have a bomb.

"The incident caused significant delays to peak hour (rail) services," he said.

"(It also caused) mass disruption, alarm and fear."

Barrister Chris Wilson, for Swindells, said his client was autistic - which manifests in acts of "immaturity, impulsivity and social clumsiness."

"(Swindells) says thing not appreciating it causes (others) offence," Mr Wilson said.

"The man had no appreciation for the consequences of his actions. It was an off the cuff remark."

Judge Irwin, in response to Mr Wilson's submissions, said: "It appeared (to Swindells) it might have been a funny thing to say (at the time)."

"(But it) closed down the rail system for 40 minutes."

[triplethree]

Article: Student walks free after bomb hoax shuts down rail network
by Tony Keim
From: The Courier-Mail
May 22, 2012 3:51PM

...

The Brisbane District Court heard Cody Tristan Michael Swindells, 21, asked two Queensland Rail staff how "cool" they thought he was when he declared he had a "bomb in his bag" at the South Brisbane railway station at 5.15pm on September 9 last year.

...

Swindells, now aged 23, was sentenced to two year's probation after pleading guilty to one count of a bomb hoax.

Looks like someone fell through the space-time continuum.

[pangwen]

Article: Student walks free after bomb hoax shuts down rail network
by Tony Keim
From: The Courier-Mail
May 22, 2012 3:51PM

...

The Brisbane District Court heard Cody Tristan Michael Swindells, 21, asked two Queensland Rail staff how "cool" they thought he was when he declared he had a "bomb in his bag" at the South Brisbane railway station at 5.15pm on September 9 last year.

...

Swindells, now aged 23, was sentenced to two year's probation after pleading guilty to one count of a bomb hoax.

Looks like someone fell through the space-time continuum.

According to the caption on the photo, he's now a toddler...

Cody Tristan Michael Swindells, 2, outside the Brisbane court. Source: The Courier-Mail

[HappyTrainGuy]

Damn, I need to start buying whatever anti aging cream he is using