The man accused of blowing up a ute in the driveway of a Koonawarra couple's home after a road rage incident in a McDonald's drive-thru allegedly tracked the pair down after pretending to be a "young blonde female" buying a bed off them via Facebook.
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Details of how Ryan Sharp allegedly found the couple, and subjected them to sustained threats and harassment, were revealed in police documents as the 33-year-old sought a release from custody in Wollongong Local Court on Thursday.
Sharp appeared in court via video link, still dressed in the high-vis clothing he was wearing when arrested in dramatic scenes at a Warrawong service station about 6am on Tuesday.
He has been charged with 10 offences, including using a carriage service to threaten to kill and placing an explosive in/near a vehicle, following an investigation by the NSW Police Fixated Persons Investigation Unit.
Sharp's 31-year-old partner, and co-accused, Deanna Struber has also been charged.
Police allege an altercation at Warrawong McDonald's on February 22 - in which Struber was beeped at by the couple after she almost reversed into their car - led to a prolonged stalking and harassment campaign by the co-accused.
According to police, Struber used Facebook to track down the pair on the night of the incident.
It's alleged Sharp then used a fake account, with a "young blonde female" as the profile picture, to chat with the couple about a bed and mattress they were selling on Facebook marketplace.
The police facts said Sharp was given the couple's address, went there about 12.40am on February 23 and smashed the windows of their Ford Ranger.
At 1.02am, he allegedly used the fake Facebook profile to send the couple the message:
"I'm going to set your car on fire in a few hours then I'm going to rape you slut and make that c*** sucker watch Both [sic] of you have made a big mistake."
Another message, sent at 1.19am, said: "[name withheld] he is a dead man. See you later tonight."
In the early hours of March 5, police said Sharp travelled from Lurnea to a home in Lake Heights. It's here, police allege, he prepared the improvised explosive device (IED) used to blow-up the Ford Ranger.
Police facts outlined the IED was made using a length of PVC pipe and the accelerant used "appears to be more than 100 sparklers".
Love you, mum. Tell dad I'm sorry.
Sharp - who the court heard worked full-time as a refrigerator mechanic - was supported in court on Thursday by his mum and sister.
He was visibly upset during proceedings and heard to say "I'm sorry mum". He later blew his family a kiss.
"I love you. I'm sorry," he said.
In applying for bail, Sharp's solicitor Sian Aldis said he lived with his 81-year-old grandmother at a home in Lurnea and "time awaiting trial is a live concern in this case"..
Ms Aldis said his grandmother's health would deteriorate if Sharp was not able to care for her. "It's clear from the family support in court he has strong ties to the community," she said.
Ms Aldis also stressed there were no concerns about Sharp not appearing in court, to which Magistrate Chris McRobert replied: "I don't think fail to appear is the issue here".
Magistrate McRobert said Sharp made "substantial admissions" to most of the offences, including planting the IED, during a police interview. "He's admitted his involvement in these extremely serious offences," he said.
However, Ms Aldis questioned the interview process, telling the court Sharp only spoke with a solicitor after police started asking questions.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Tanya Pavlin said a solicitor rang while Sharp was being interviewed. Sgt Pavlin said the interview had already begun, but his admissions came after he spoken with the lawyer.
In opposing bail, Sgt Pavlin questioned Sharp's living arrangements, saying that during police surveillance he was only seen at the Lurnea address "on a handful of occasions". "He's not there 24/7 caring for his grandmother, as has been put to the court," she said.
Magistrate McRobert denied Sharp's release, citing the "extremely grave" criminal offences he's accused of committing.
"Love you, mum. Tell dad I'm sorry," Sharp told his family in the court as the matter was adjourned.
Sharp returns to court on May 22. Struber, who is on bail charged with accessory after the fact to destroying or damaging property and stalk/intimidate, is due to appear on the same day.
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Andrew Pearson
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
