Bomb hoaxer goes free
Probation order for intoxicated Centrelink customer
A YARRABAH man who threatened he had a bomb at an Earlville business before falling asleep at the scene has been placed on 12 months probation.
Michael John Canendo, 49, appeared in the Cairns District Court yesterday. He pleaded guilty to one count of making a bomb hoax – with the intention of inducing in another person a belief that the article is likely to explode, ignite or discharge.
The court heard that on March 31 last year he entered Centrelink on Mulgrave Rd, Earlville, appearing to be intoxicated and unsteady on his feet.
He was carrying a backpack and, when approached by staff, he said there was a bomb in the bag.
The court heard that staff members initially did not believe Canendo had a bomb but he insisted there was a bomb in his backpack.
There were about 30 customers in the store and as a result the building was evacuated.
Crown prosecutor Nigel Rees said this type of offending was at the lower end of seriousness of bomb hoax compared to other cases.
“There was no prenotation and to be frank it wasn’t taken seriously (at first),” he said.
Defence barrister Stephanie Williams said Canendo was drinking on the day and was found asleep at the scene when police arrived after the evacuation.
“He absolutely has no memory of the event,” she said.
“When the police officers told him what he had done, when he woke up in the watch house, he instructs that he was extremely ashamed of his actions.
“Particularly because his sister has for many years worked with Centrelink (in the Northern Territory) and he didn’t know how to go home and tell his family about what he’d done.”
“The offence is serious because of the alarm and concern it can cause,” Judge Rafter SC said. “I can tell that you are remorseful and I doubt you will commit such an offence in the future.”
He handed Canendo a 12 month probation order.
A conviction was recorded.
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