Mobile phone base stations destroyed in army tank rampage

News story: CNET

Photographs: Anonymous TTR contributor

A man who destroyed seven mobile phone towers in a stolen tank claimed he had been affected by radio waves emitting from the cellular base-stations.

John Robert Patterson, 45, of Dharruk, allegedly stole the tank and used it to attack seven mobile phone towers over the weekend. Patterson will face Penrith Local Court today, charged with numerous offences including predatory driving and malicious damage.

It is believed Patterson used to be a telecommunications worker and he thought he had been damaged by mobile phone radio waves.

In refusing bail at Parramatta court yesterday, Magistrate Terry Forbes recommended Patterson receive psychiatric attention.

Morris told AAP that Patterson used to do telecommunications work for the army and he believed mobile phone waves had “harmed his head”.

Three Optus towers were damaged at Mt Druitt, Blackett and Minchinbury. A company spokesman said repairs had started when “it was no longer a crime scene” and there had been only minimal disruptions to services.

Telstra had four towers brought down in the western suburbs.

A spokesman said other towers had “picked up the slack”.

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