Australian charged over “sausage roll” bomb threat

An Australian man who allegedly tried to set fire to a service station that had run out of his favorite late-night snack — a hot dog type of fast food known locally as a "sausage roll" — appeared in court on Tuesday.

We've all been there — a big night on the town, a few drinks and a mean craving for greasy junk food, whether it's a hamburger in the United States or a ham-and-cheese crepe in France.

In Australia the sausage roll is the ultimate meal of last resort. Comprised of lightly seasoned minced meat in a thin tube of pastry, it's cheap and almost always available at any gas station, bakery or late-night convenience store, though usually lukewarm and a day old.

Police allege Scott Jason Bryant, of Brisbane in northeastern Queensland state, had been drinking heavily and was on his way home late Monday night when he stopped at the gas station to buy one of the popular snacks, the SMH reports.

Told by the attendant that they were out of stock, 40-year-old Bryant allegedly threatened to blow up the gas station with a bomb he claimed he had in his backpack.

This apparently failed to impress the station attendant, so Bryant went outside, poured gasoline from the pumps onto the ground and unsuccessfully tried to ignite the fuel with a cigarette lighter, police said.

Arrested a short time later, he was charged with making a bomb hoax, committing acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm and possession of cannabis.

"It's a very extreme reaction for not being able to satisfy somebody's need for the munchies when they've had something to drink," Magistrate Alan Taylor said, according to AAP news agency.

Bryant was granted bail on condition he reside at a known address and report to police three times a week.