The summary said Davies became “frustrated and had bouts of anxiety”, with the knowledge that he would not be able to see his son and the arguments between the couple became more prevalent. On May 3, Davies was staying at Atlantis Backpackers, at London Quay in Picton, the same day Davies’ partner planned to travel to the North Island on the ferry with their son.
SCOTT HAMMOND/STUFF
Ferries have been delayed at the Picton terminal as police respond to a bomb threat made on the morning of May 3, 2021. At about 6.35am, Davies walked to a telephone box behind the iSite Information Centre in Picton, which was a short distance from the backpackers.
Scott Hammond/Stuff
Bluebridge passengers are returned to the terminal by bus, and prepare to board after the police inspection finishes following an alleged bomb threat.
The 33-year-old man alleged to have made false bomb threats against Cook Strait ferry services has been remanded in custody. Harley John Davies appeared via audiaovisual link in the Blenheim District Court on Monday on a charge of threatening to harm people and property. Police allege he threatened that there was a bomb on board an Interislander ferry and Bluebridge ferry last Monday morning. The charge carries a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment.
On Monday, the threat saw police search two ferries and the Picton ferry terminal, forcing passengers to disembark and face long delays. Specialist police staff arrived by helicopter from Wellington to search both the Interislander and Bluebridge ferries in Picton about 10.35am, 2½ hours after passengers were first asked to disembark. Marlborough area commander Inspector Simon Feltham said nothing “of significance” had been found and ferry crossings resumed on Monday afternoon.
Scott Hammond/Stuff
Bluebridge passengers are returned to the terminal by bus, and prepare to board after the police inspection finishes. Feltham acknowledged that the incident caused “considerable disruption and distress for many”.