Bomb scare: Yarran Leslie planted explosive device in Leederville after advances rebuffed, court told

A Queens Park man planted and detonated a homemade bomb outside a Mexican restaurant in Leederville in a “targeted event” to “scare and injure” a worker who rejected his advances, a court has been told. Yarran Leslie, 29, has been remanded in custody after he was charged with causing the improvised explosive device to blow up outside the Zambrero Mexican restaurant during the busy lunchtime trade about 1.30pm on Thursday. During a bail application on Friday, Perth Magistrates Court was told Mr Leslie was caught on CCTV planting the device outside the Newcastle Street restaurant in what was alleged to be a “targeted event”. It was alleged Mr Leslie had sought a relationship with somebody who worked in the eatery but after his advances were rebuffed, he planted the device with the intention of “scaring and injuring” that person. The West Australian understands the crude bomb was allegedly made with sparklers and other items. Police prosecutors opposed Mr Leslie’s release on bail, describing their case as “very strong” because Mr Leslie had made admissions in text messages and also to police when he was interviewed after his arrest. They said the alleged crime was serious and while nobody was injured, shrapnel sprayed from the device when it detonated only “narrowly missed” members of the public passing by. CCTV appears to show Mr Leslie leaving the scene and flinching when the device exploded. Hours later, about 10.20pm, police were called to the intersection of Wellington Street and King Street in Perth after it was reported a person was in possession of a similar explosive device. Police cordoned off the area with the tactical response group’s bomb response unit attending to render the item safe. “The item was confirmed to be a homemade, makeshift device similar to the one detonated in Leederville earlier in the day,” police said. The court was told police were concerned there had been a “deterioration” in Mr Leslie’s personal circumstances, which has led to daily abuse of alcohol, which may prevent him from making rational decisions and reoffending. The risk of flight was also a concern. After the police prosecutor’s basis for opposing bail was heard, Mr Leslie opted to withdraw his bail application and he was remanded in custody. The explosive concoction did not cause any damage to Leederville businesses, however venue owners described the noise it created as “a bomb going off”. “It was pretty loud - sounded like a large bowling ball crashing on the ground,” one staff member from a nearby venue said. Omer Shiko, who owns a Newsagent store on the corner of Newcastle Street, described the moment he heard the blast. “I was serving a customer and then a big bang happened,” he said. “Me and my customer were (in) shock and I looked at my cameras. Everyone went that way to see what happened.” Mr Shiko said when he walked outside to investigate, he saw several people cleaning up the aftermath of the strewn explosive contents. “It’s very scary,” he said. Mr Leslie was arrested “without incident” over both the Leederville and city scares after a search of his home in the early hours of Friday. He is due to reappear in court on February 11. The incident is still under investigation, and Perth Detectives would like to speak to a member of the public who they believe was in the vicinity of the Leederville incident. It is believed a woman was in that area between 1:30pm and 1:45pm on Thursday and may have information that could assist with the investigation. The woman is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.