Scone Court Report: October 2019

WE apologise to readers for the Scone Court Report that the publishing of the court report has been later than normal. The court report takes a lot of work behind the scenes in cross correlating all records of everyone who comes before the local court. Recently, Veronica Antcliff, who is the permanent court clerk in Scone has been on leave. Veronica is outstanding in compiling and organising every court file for review and collation in the court report and there are very few courts in New South Wales where this is required each month, adding a considerable workload. We were very blessed to have Michelle fill Veronica’s role temporarily and she went above and beyond to assist with the court report, in what is typically a daunting level of work.

So we’d just like to give a HUGE thank you to Michelle and we are wrapped to have Veronica back on deck. Without such wonderful court staff the court report would not be possible.

Matters before Scone Local Court in October included:

ABBOTT, Susan, a 59 from Scone was represented and guilty plea entered on a charge of rider not wear approved bicycle helmet/fitted/fastened from an incident on April 7 at 9:41am on Liverpool Street, Scone. The matter was set for hearing on March 19.

AKBAS, Adam John, a 25 year old from Leumeah did not appear but was represented for a charge of common assault. The alleged offence occurred between 4am and 8am on September 12 in Scone. Mr Akbas wrote to the court to ask if the matter could be moved to Campbelltown court. The matter is not allowed to be moved and it was set for hearing on February 20.

ALLEN, John William, a 34 year old from Scone was not in court but represented on charges of drive with low range prescribed concentration of alcohol – second offence and drive motor vehicle during disqualification period relating to an incident on Noblet Road, Scone on September 11 at approximately 10:05am, when he returned a reading of 0.058. The matter was adjourned to November 21 with no further adjournments allowed.

BARTLETT, Gerald Lawrence Lee, an 83 year old from Gunnedah submitted a letter to the court to have a charge of use unregistered registrable motor vehicle on road moved to Gunnedah local court. The matter was adjourned to November 21.

BEEBY, Stuart, a 33 year old from Oatlands failed to appear on a charge of never licenced person drive vehicle on road-prior offence from an incident in Blandford on September 16 at approximately 2pm. He was convicted in his absence, a warrant has been issued for his arrest and a prior community corrections order will be called up.

BENKO, Jessica, Eden, a 25 year old from Blandford appeared unrepresented on a charge of exceed speed by more than 20 killometres an hour on the New England Highway in Scone on May 11. After a short conversation with a solicitor Ms Benko entered a guilty plea and was given a conditional release order to be of good behavior for six months.

BUTTON, Daniel Leon, a 55 year old from Bellbird appeared and pled guilty to a charge of drive with middle range prescribed concentration of alcohol. The offence occurred at approximately 1:30pm – 2:30pm on September 26 on the Golden Highway in Cassilis, when Mr Button returned a reading of 0.105. The matter was adjourned to Cessnock local court on December 4 to enable Mr Button to attend the traffic offenders programme. Mr Button admitted to having had a “big night” the night before and one stubbie of Asahi beer at Merriwa between 12:30pm and 1pm.

CLARK, Peter Wayne Richmond, a 54 year old from Murrurundi pled guilty to charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm from an incident on September 20, between 7pm and 7:40pm at Murrurundi. The matter was adjourned until November 21.

COX, Dalton, a 21 year old from Scone appeared on a charge of possess prohibited drug from an incident in Scone on August 6 at approximately 11:45am, when he had 0.06 grams of cannabis. The matter was dealt with under section 10 and the charge was dismissed.

DEACON, Steven Graham, a 48 year old from Mosman appeared on charges of use unregisterable Class A motor vehicle on road and use uninsured motor vehicle. The matter was withdrawn and dimissed.

EDWARDS, Paul Campbell, a 51 year old from Upper Orara had charges of affray and common assault. The matter was adjourned to Muswellbrook Court on February 10.

EGAN, Cassandra Lee, a 34 year old from Armidale was represented and entered a plea of not guilty to a charge of possess prohibited drug from an alleged incident May 26 at approximately 8am. The alleged drug was methylamphetamine. The matter was adjourned until March 19.

EDMONDS, Kyle Andrew, a 30 year old from Merriwa appeared for sentence on charges of drive with middle range prescribed concentration of alcohol – first offence, not comply with P1 licence – no P plates and not produce Australian licence, state name, address. The offences occurred in Merriwa on June 9 at approximately 12:58am on Langley Street Merriwa when Mr Edmonds returned a reading of 0.126. Mr Edmonds gave sworn evidence that he did not have a vehicle to place an interlock device on, the prosecution wanted further proof from the RMS as they contended he had vehicles previously registered to him that have not been disposed of. The matter was adjourned for sentencing on November 21.

FOX, Aaron Steven, a 41 year old from Aberdeen failed to appear on two charges of common assault, stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm, destroy or damage property and two charges of intentionally choke person etc without consent. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

GAVER, Rebekah, a 33 year old from Quirindi failed to appear on charges of drive motor vehicle during disqualification period second offence, possess prohibited drug, use unregistered registrable class A motor vehicle on road, use uninsured motor vehicle and use vehicle on road or road related area. The charges relate to an incident on June 15 in Scone at approx. 3:10am. A warrant was issued for the charge of drive motor vehicle during disqualification period second offence, Ms Gaver was convicted in her absence for the remaining charges and fined $100 for possess prohibited drug charge, $600 for use unregistered registrable class A motor vehicle on road, $500 for use uninsured motor vehicle and $200 for use vehicle on road or road related area.

GLASS, Jesse Aaron, a 22 year old from Willow Tree failed to appear on a charge of Drive motor vehicle while licence suspended 1^st offence from an incident on August 23 between 7pm and 7:05pm in Scone. He was sentenced in his absence and fined $500 and disqualified from driving for 6 months.

GOOCH, Kevin Adam, a 34 year old from Scone appeared in court on charges of drive with high range prescribed concentration of alcohol – first offence and licence expired less than two years before. Mr Gooch had returned a reading of 0.167 on June 1 at approximately 4:35pm on Liverpool Street, Scone. Mr Gooch had completed the traffic offenders programme and was sentenced to an Intensive Correction Order for a period of eight months, disqualified from driving for seven months and fined $400 for driving without a licence.

GORST, Jason Dean a 39 year old from Muswellbrook appeared  and pled guilty to charges of drive vehicle illicit drug present in blood, possess prohibited drug and possession of equipment for administering prohibited drugs. The matter was adjourned to Muswellbrook Court for sentencing to allow the MERIT programme to be contacted on Nov 18.  

GUNNER, Dominque, a 46 year old from Moonan Flat had charges of common assault and affray. The matter was adjourned until October 29 in Muswellbrook.

HAINES, Charlie, a 25 year old from Oxley Vale had charges of goods in personal custody suspected being stolen. The items relate to a pair of white jeans and a pair of blue jeans suspected stolen in Scone on August 22. The matter was adjourned until November 21.

HALL, Dennis, an 88 year old from Murrurundi appeared and pled not guilty to a charge of driver never licenced from an incident on August 12 in Murrurundi.  The matter was set for hearing on January 23.

HENLEY, Alexander Stuart, a 21 year old from Murrurundi appeared and pled guilty to charges of drive motor vehicle during disqualification period – second offence, use unregistered registerable vehicle and Motor bike rider not wear/secure approved helmet. The alleged offences occurred on October 3 at approximately 7:05pm at Murrurundi when Mr Henley was riding a viper mountain bike fitted with an after-market combustion engine on the footpath of Mayne Street and was stopped by police. The matter was adjourned until November 21 to allow time for case preparation.

HORVATH, Joel, a 25 year old from Parkville appeared and pled guilty to an offence of drive with high range prescribed concentration of alcohol – first offence. The offence occurred on October 12 at approximately 1:40am on Liverpool Street, Scone, when Mr Horvath returned a reading of 0.161. Police noticed had no tail-lights and pulled him over near the Waverley Street. They further noted Mr Horvath’s speech was slurred, he was unable to locate his wallet, unsteady on his feet and said he had been drinking at home. Mr Horvath told police he had started drinking at approximately 5:30pm on Friday afternoon and his last drink was at 1:30am on Saturday at the Belmore Hotel and at his residential address. He told police he had consumed 12 cans of full strength Great Northern Beer, three shots of Jagermeister and Red Bull and four cans of Bundaberg rum and cola and had two pies to eat. Mr Horvath was ejected from the Belmore Hotel due to intoxication at 11pm, put into a taxi with his friends and when he was stopped by police informed them he was going back to the pub.  The matter was adjourned until November 21, allowing time for Mr Horvath to complete the Traffic Offenders Program.

JACKSON, Analisa, a 38 year old from Singleton appeared in custody from a shoplifting matter in Singleton earlier that morning as Scone was the closest sitting court. Ms Jackson was released from custody to appear in Singleton on October 29.

JOHNSON, Hamish Patrick, a 22 year old from Murrurundi appeared on charges of novice driver with novice range prescribed concentration of alcohol – first offence, licence expired less than two years before-prior offence, two charges of possess prohibited drug and a charge of possession of equipment for administering prohibited drugs.  The matters were relating to an incident on August 10 at approximately 2pm on the New England Highway in Muswellbrook, when Mr Johnson returned a reading of 0.013. The police said Mr Johnson was remorseful and said told them he had consumed alcohol the night before, but believed he was okay to drive. The drug was amphetamine and the drug equipment was a cannabis plastic bong bottle. Mr Johnson was given a community release order for 12 months for the drive under the influence offence and three months licence disqualification. He was further fined $300 for the licence offence, $150 and $100 was given for the possess prohibited drug offences and a fine of $100 was imposed for the possession of equipment for administering drugs.

JONES, Andrew Ronald, a 44 year old from Scone appeared on a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm relating to a charge. The alleged offence occurred at approximately 8:30pm on September 20 in Scone. The matter was adjourned until November 21.

KENNEDY, Douglas Ashley, a 27 year old from Scone, found not guilty of take action that results in physical harm, but convicted of common assault and given a community corrections order for 15 months, common assault and given a 12 month community corrections order and another count of common assault and given an 18 month correction order.

KNOBBS, Riley, a 18 from Murrurundi had an appeal against an immediate licence suspension notice. The matter was adjourned to November 21 to allow the Traffic Offenders Programme to be completed.

LOUIS, Shane Anthony, a 23 year old from Scone pled not guilty to charges of destroy of damage property, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault, stalk/intimidate intend fear physical harm, contravene aprehended violence order and two counts of use carriage service to menace/harass/offend. The alleged offences occurred on February 3 in Scone. The alleged property damaged included a student identification card, NSW drivers licence and Commonwealth bank card.

MARTIN, Clancy, a 17 from Merriwa appeared to appeal the decision of an authority after having a mobile phone in his hand while driving. He had already completed the Traffic Offenders Programme and the appeal was allowed.

MCCABE, Brendan John, a 41 year old from Scone appeared and pled guilty to an offence of possess a prohibited drug from an incident on August 29 at 2:45pm in Scone. The drug in his possession was 3.4 grams of cannabis leaf and he was fined $100.

MCCORMICK, Michael John, a 50 year old from Wyong had charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray. The matter was adjourned until February 10 in Muswellbrook.

MCKENZIE, Cameron, a 24 year old from Quirindi appeared and pled guilty to charges of take and drive conveyance without consent of owner and a charge of drive, licence suspended under s 66 Fines Act. He also appeared on charges of drive vehicle, illicit drug present in blood – first offence and drive vehicle under influence of drugs. Mr McKenzie has hearing matters in Tamworth court on October 31, with all matters adjourned to that date. However, if a not guilty plea is entered, those matters will be returned to the Scone court.

MOORE, Jacob Daniel, a 26 year old from  Murrurundi had two charges of common assault. The matter was part Heard and ajoured until January 23. However, Mr Moore is a British citizen who was returning to the UK in two days. The matter needed to be adjourned and Mr Moore said he would return to for the Court proceedings, however the Magistrate said, “are you suggesting the Court should let him fly to another country with no return ticket?” The Magistrate issued orders that Mr Moore was not to go near any international airport and set the matter of him being able to leave the country down for Singleton Court on October 31.

MORRIS, Martin Ian Spencer, a 45 year old from Scone did not appear in court on a matter of proceed through red light- school zone, which was transferred from Hornsby. He was convicted in his absence and was fined $600.

MUFFETT, Kane Michael, a 23 year old from Scone appeared and pled guilty to a charge of goods in personal custody suspected of being stolen after collecting some plants from the rear of the reject shop believing they were abandoned. The charge was dismissed under section 10.

MUJAMMAMI, Fahad Jubran A, a 28 year old from Callaghan failed to appear on two charges of exceed speed by more than 10km an hour. The offences occurred on August 18 and September 8 on the New England Highway in Blandford. He was fined $250 and $700 respectively.

MURPHY, Kathleen Ellen, a 26 year old from Quirinidi failed to appear on a charge of drive, licence suspended under section 66 of the fines act – first offence. A Conditional Release Order is current and sentencing was adjourned to November 21. Ms Murphy must attend on the next occasion or a warrant will be issued.

OLDHAM, Beau Donald, a 36 year old from East Branxton was represented to pled guilty to an offence of drive with middle range prescribed concentration of alcohol – first offence. The offence occurred at approximately 11:40pm on July 10 in Kingdon Street, Scone, when Mr Oldham returned a reading of 0.140.  The matter was adjourned to the Maitland court for sentencing on November 6.

ORR, Joshua Patrick, a 20 year old from Scone had a charge of Break and enter dwelling- house etc with intent to steal, withdrawn by the prosecution, the charge was dismissed.

PALMER, Donna, a 40 from Scone appeared to appeal a decision on a licence suspension by the Roads and Maritime Services. Ms Palmer had completed the Traffic Offenders Programme and the appeal was allowed.

PHILLIPS, Timothy Robert, a 46 year old from Bateman’s Bay had a charge of common assault. The matter was adjourned until October 29 in Muswellbrook.

RANDELL, Jai Anthony, a 20 year old from Scone appeared and pled guilty to a charge of use carriage service to menace/harass/offend from an incident on September 23 in Scone. A sentence report was ordered and the matter was adjourned to December 19 for sentence.  

RAWLINSON, Darryl John, a 44 from Scone appeared unrepresented and pled guilty to a charge of possess prohibited drug from an incident on August 6 at Scone where he had 30.25 grams of cannabis. He was fined $400, but was the subject of a previous Intensive Correction Order for which the Parole Authority will decide on any actions further to that order.

SMITH, Michael Raymond, a 60 year old from Scone appeared and ped guilty to a charge of drive with middle range prescribed concentration of alcohol, when Mr Smith returned a reading of 0.118 when he was tested by police at approximately 7:55pm on September 28 on Satur Road, Scone. Mr Smith told police he had consumed three vodka and soda free poured at his son’s home between 7pm and 8pm. The matter was adjourned to December 19.

SPITERI, Matthew, a 42 year old from Merriwa had charges of fail to leave, offensive langauge and resist police officer. The offences occured on February 2 at approximately 9pm at the Cassilis rodeo. The pólice statement stated that a complaint was made to police at the Cassilis Rodeo that a male was supplying young girls with alcohol and he was being physically inappropriate with them. They attempted to find the male, when another report of inappropriate behaviour was made to them and the complainant identified Mr Spiteri to police. Police observed Mr Spiteri to be well affected by alcohol, and refuted the allegations made against him, “that’s bullsht, I was just talking to the kids”. Police asked him to leave the licenced premises and he responded, “I’m not fucking go anywhere. I’ve paid my fucking ticket and I’m going to watch the open bull ridaing.” Police explained he was committing an offense by not leaving, to which he responded, “I don’t give a fuck, I’m not going anywhere.” Police explained they would physically remove him, “No, you won’t, I’m not going.” When an Officer grabbed Mr Spitieri by the arm to remove him he resisted arrest and began yelling, “fuck off you fuking cunts. You are a bunch of fucking cunts.” Theer were a large number of people present, including children. One of the officers performed a leg sweep and Mr Spiteri fell to the ground, but continued to resist police. Capsicum spray was used to the right eye of Mr Spiteri and he was placed in handcuffs. Police took him out the western gate, where he continued to verbally abuse them. Police located some of his friends, who took him home. The Magistrate said the police have a difficult job and lamented that the courts are constantly dealing with males getting intoxicated and not following the direction of pólice Officer. The Magistrate further said the courts must support the pólice in execution of their duties. Mr Spiteri was fined $500 and given a 12 month community corrections order.

STEEPE, Jason Edward, a 46 year old from Scone was sentenced on a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm from an incident on March 30 at approximately 1:30pm in Scone. Following an argument between Mr Steepe and Brian Ledger, Mr Steepe approached Mr Ledger who was on the front lawn of his neighbour’s house, when Mr Steepe approached him and hit Mr Ledger in the head with a metal pole, causing a laceration. Mr Ledger tried to get back inside the house, while Mr Steepe continued to hit Mr Ledger around the legs with the pole. A witness came to Mr Ledger’s aid and pulled Mr Steepe to the ground, dislocating Mr Steepe’s ankle. When police arrived they arrested Mr Steepe. Police asked what Mr Steepe had intended to do and Mr Steepe replied, “I wanted to break his legs.” After being assessed by ambulance, Mr Ledger declined going to hospital, while Mr Steepe was taken to the Scott Memorial Hospital in Scone, before being transported to the Maitland Hospital for surgery on his ankle. Mr Steepe was sentenced to an Intensive Correction order for a period of 8 months.

SULLIVAN, Susan Robin, a 73 year old from Woolooma made an appeal for a decision made by the Roads and Maritime Authority. Ms Sullivan had completed the Traffic Offenders Programme. The appeal was dismissed with the disqualification period reduced from three months to one month.

WADWELL, Brendan James, a 32 year old from Scone had a charge of drive with middle range prescribed concentration of alcohol. The offence occurred at approximately 5:04pm on September 7 on Satur Road, Scone when Mr Wadwell returned a reading of 0.147. The accused admitted to consuming three or four cans of Superdry 375ml cans at a football game before driving. Mr Wadwell was fined $1,200 and given a mandatory interlock order for four months.

WHITEHEAD, Mitchell Jon, a 21 year old from Denman appeared on charges of drive with middle range prescribed concentration of alcohol, possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit and possess prohibited drug. The alleged offences occurred at approximately 4:15am on May 4 on the New England Highway in Scone, when Mr Whitehead returned a reading of 0.117, was in possession of knuckle dusters and 2.4 grams of methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) tablets. Mr Whitehead claimed to police that he owned the knuckle dusters but had found the “ecstasy tablets on the road.” Had consumed a “number of full strength Great Northern beers and had three other passengers in the vehicle at the time. Mr Whitehead had completed the traffic offenders programme and was sentenced with a concurrent 12 month Community Correction Order, fined $400 for the drink driving offence and $400 for the possess prohibited drug charge.

WHITELEY, Jason Michael, a 49 from Merriwa appeared on charges of drive with middle range prescribed concentration of alcohol – second offence and drive with low range prescribed concentration of alcohol – first offence. The matter was adjourned to November 21 to allow time for the Traffic Offenders Programme to be completed.

WIGGINS, Daniel Scott, a 30 year old form Murrurundi had a charge of drive with middle range prescribed concentration of alcohol – first offence from an incident in September 11 on the New England Highway at Murrurundi, when Mr Wiggins returned a reading of 0.085. The matter was adjourned until November 21.

WILCOX, Barry Gordon, a 66 year old from Scone appeared on charges of Sexually touch another person without consent and Incite other to do sexual act with them without consent. The alleged offences occurred at approximately 12pm on June 7 in Scone. The charge of Sexually touch another person without consent was withdrawn by the prosecution and he pled guilty to Incite other to do sexual act with them without consent. A sentencing assessment report has been ordered and the matter was adjourned to Muswellbrook court on December 2.

WILLIAMS, Campbell Angus, a 24 year old from Murrurundi had a charge of drive with high range prescribed concentration of alcohol. Police had noticed Mr Williams driving in an erratic manner at approximately 11:30pm, on June 15 in Walgett and conducted a breath test, when her returned a Reading of 0.170. Mr Williams told police he had consumed 10 cans of full strength beer between 4:40pm and 11pm. Mr Williams was disqualified from driving for seven months, fined $1,500 and must have a mandatory interlock fitted for two years.

WILSON, Lee Anthony, a 30 year old from Scone appeared and pled not guilty to charges of destroy or damage property less than $2,000 and destroy or damage property more than $5,000 and less than $15,000. The matters relate to damage to a Nissan Patrol vehicle which is the property of NSW Police on October 7. The matter was adjourned until February 20.

WRIGHT, Leonie, a 47 year old from Scone appeared and pled not guilty to a charge of drive vehicle, illicit drug present in blood – second offence. Ms Wright also pled not guilty to another charge of drive illicit drug present in blood – first^t offence and use prohibited weapon contrary to prohibition order from an incident on April 21 at approximately 11:30pm when Ms Wright tested positive to methylamphetamine. The alleged offence of possess a prohibited weapon occurred on March 31 at approximately 7pm in Scone when Ms Wright was in possession of knuckle dusters. The matters have been set down for hearing on March 19.

Read: Previous Court Reports.