Mark Robert Williams appears in court after alleged McDonald’s bomb hoax

The man who allegedly pretended to have a bomb in his bag at a suburban McDonald’s, forcing it to be evacuated, has appeared in court for the first time.

Mark Robert Williams, 44, fronted the Elizabeth Magistrates Court in Adelaide’s outer north on Thursday afternoon following his arrest on Wednesday night.

The alleged bomb hoax took place about 7.45pm at the Saints Road Shopping Centre McDonald’s at Salisbury Plains.

Police and bomb squad technicians raced to the scene on reports the man had allegedly left a bag inside the restaurant after claiming it contained a bomb.

“Patrols quickly evacuated the area and detained the man,” the South Australian Police said.

“Technicians from the Bomb Response Unit attended and determined that there were no explosives in the bag.”

Mr Williams, from Parafield Gardens, was charged with creating the false belief that life has been lost or endangered.

He has been refused bail and is presently on remand.

In his first appearance, he dialled into court via video.

His application for bail was adjourned and he was remanded in custody to appear again at Elizabeth Magistrates Court on June 20.