The man accused of threatening to blow up Perth Airport has had his bail application deferred as police continue their investigation.
Court Appearance
Keiron Beau James Hedges appeared before the Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday, 23 April 2026, facing charges related to making a threat to destroy or damage property. The 34-year-old was arrested earlier this week following an alleged incident in which he reportedly stated he would blow up the airport.
Magistrate Elizabeth Langdon adjourned the bail hearing, ordering Hedges to remain in custody until his next court appearance. The court heard that police are still gathering evidence, including CCTV footage and witness statements, to determine the credibility of the threat.
Alleged Threat Details
According to court documents, Hedges allegedly made the threat at a Perth Airport terminal on Tuesday afternoon. Security personnel were alerted, leading to a swift response from the Australian Federal Police and Western Australia Police. The airport was placed on high alert, though operations were not significantly disrupted.
Prosecutor Sergeant Michael Collins told the court the threat was taken extremely seriously given the potential for mass casualties and disruption. He argued that Hedges posed an unacceptable risk to the community and should not be granted bail.
Defence Arguments
Defence lawyer Sarah Thompson submitted that her client had no prior convictions for similar offences and had strong ties to the community. She argued that Hedges was suffering from mental health issues at the time of the alleged offence and that he would comply with strict bail conditions, including reporting to police daily and residing at a fixed address.
However, the magistrate ruled that more time was needed to assess the risk, particularly given the serious nature of the allegations. The case was adjourned until next week.
Police Investigation Ongoing
Detective Inspector Mark Reynolds of the WA Police Counter Terrorism Unit said the investigation was continuing. “We are working closely with airport security and federal authorities to ensure all necessary steps are taken to protect the public,” he said.
Perth Airport released a statement confirming that safety protocols were activated and that there was no ongoing threat to passengers or staff. The airport remains fully operational.
Hedges is expected to reappear in court on 30 April 2026. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
