Thoughts in his head had led to ‘sparkler bomb’ incident at KFC

A 22-YEAR-OLD man who let off a “sparkler bomb” in a Toowoomba KFC has been placed on probation to address mental health issues.

Joshua Wayne Steele had been off his medication and having thoughts of setting fire to objects before he entered the KFC Kearneys Spring at 5pm, September 14 last year.

Having bought sparklers from a store, he stripped the magnesium which he placed into an envelope with an accelerant which he set alight on the counter of the store, telling staff “you better step back”.

A large flame emanated from the counter which was burnt and was filmed by the defendant on his mobile phone, police prosecutor Julia Wheaton told Toowoomba Magistrates Court.

When the 22-year-old went to leave, an off-duty police officer approached and was punched by Steele to the head.

The police officer and a member of the public wrestled him to the ground and held him until police arrived.

Senior Constable Wheaton said when speaking with police, Steele had told them of having thoughts in his head for some years and that just the day before he had set fire to the Australian flag at the entrance of the Garden of Remembrance.

He admitted to other incidents, telling police he filmed them and uploaded them onto social media because he liked to “shock people”, she said.

Steele pleaded guilty to all charges.

His solicitor John Davis (Kennedy Spanner Lawyers) told the court his client had mental health issues and produced a psychologist’s letter to the court.

His client had been diagnosed with autism at an early age and had been dealing with a range of mental health issues since, he said.

However, his client was now working with a psychologist and his GP, Mr Davis submitted.

Acting Magistrate Roger Stark said the sparkler bomb incident was “quite concerning” but noted the defendant had no previous convictions.

Mr Stark placed Steele on 18 months probation but ordered the convictions not be recorded.