Scone Court Report: December 2019

SCONE.COM.AU will be knocking off between Christmas and the New Year, but before we go we wanted to wish all of our readers a very merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year. Hopefully in 2020 we’ll be reporting on consistent, deep, soaking rain throughout the Upper Hunter, no accidents on our roads or on our farms, only the occasional visit from the Westpac to simply transfer a patient and a dramatic reduction in drink driving and domestic violence.

But for now, we bring you this months court report.

Merry Christmas!

Matters heard in Scone local court this month include:

AGANOVIC, Donovan, a 45 year old from Arcadia Vale pled guilty to two charges of possess prohibited drug relating to cannabis leaf and methylamphetamine. He was fined $200 for each count.

ARCHIBALD, Jack Digby, a 30 year old from Gundy appeared to appeal the decision of the Roads and Maritime Services. Mr Archibald will attend the Traffic Offenders Program and the matter was adjourned until February 19.

ATKINS, Scott Phillip, a 49 year old from Adamstown pled guilty to a charge of drive with middle range concentration of alcohol – first offence. Mr Atkins returned a reading of 0.120. He was fined $1000, was disqualified from driving for three months and will have a mandatory interlock period for 12 months.

BEATTY, Christopher Peter, a 60 year old form Murrurundi had a charge of drive with low range prescribed concentration of alcohol – first offence, when Mr Beatty returned a reading of 0.068. Mr Beatty has been driving for 41 years with only two prior offences. Magistrate Donnelly acknowledged his excellent traffic record and Mr Beatty was placed on a conditional release order for 12 months with no conviction recorded.

BARRETT, Matthew Robert, a 43 year old from Narromine had a charge of drive with high range prescribed concentration of alcohol – first offence. The alleged offence occurred on November 16 at approximately 11:45pm on Main Street, Scone, when Mr Barrett returned a reading of 0.151 after attending a birthday party at the Thoroughbred Hotel in Scone. Mr Barrett told police he estimated he consumed ten schooners of beer throughout the evening with his first at 7pm and last at 11:20pm. The matter was adjourned to Narromine on February 4.

BELL, Stephen James, a 33 year old from Taree entered a written plea of guilty to a charge of drive motor vehicle during disqualification period – second offence. The offence occurred on October 1 at approximately 11:48am in Merriwa. Magistrate Donnelly adjourned the matter until January 22 to seek further clarification on the details of the written plea of guilty, prior to sentencing.

BRABANT, Jamie Neil, a 37 year old from Scone had a charge of drive with middle range prescribed concentration of alcohol – first offence. Mr Brabant returned a reading of 0.119. He was fined $800, disqualified from driving for four months and will have a mandatory interlock for 12 months.

BRENNAN, Trey, a 29 year old from Scone appeared on charge of drive, licence suspended – first offence. The offence occurred at approximately 3:15pm on August 19 in Scone. Mr Brennan said he was unaware he was not licenced at the time of the offence. He was fined $200 and disqualified from driving for one month.

BROWN, Gregory Robert, a 62 year old from Scone had two charges of contravene prohibition order. Mr Brown’s first breach of the order was in January when Mr Brown was seen speaking with an adult, who had children with them, by an off-duty police officer in a supermarket. The second breach was in November when CCTV footage showed Mr Brown had been standing in line at a check out behind two school aged children. Mr Brown was convicted and sentenced at Maitland court in April 2017 for committing an act of indecency with a person under 16 years of age and in May 2018 was given a child protection order for five years not to approach, actively communicate or attempt to communicate with any person under the age of 18 years. Police said in their facts that they were also aware of several instances in 2018 when Mr Brown may have come into contact with children, however without witnesses coming forward they were unable to press charges. Magistrate Donnelly said he was extremely concerned Mr Brown had engaged an adult in conversation, in the presence of children and should have removed himself from the service line to avoid being near children. Taking into account Mr Brown had served 39 days in custody, he was given a supervised community corrections order for 23 months and warned that any further breaches would likely result in full time custody.

BURNETT, Chelsee Eva, a 25 year old from Blandford pled not guilty to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm from an incident in Blandford on November 27. The matter was adjourned until June 18.

See also: Scone Matters Heard in Muswellbrook Court.

CLARK, Peter Wayne Richmond, a 54 year old from Murrurundi pled guilty to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm from an incident in September 20 at approximately 7pm in Murrurundi, when Mr Clark assaulted John Keys near the Royal Hotel. A sentencing assessment report was ordered and the matter was adjourned until February 19.

COUGHLIN, Chad Louis Robert, a 24 year old from Stewarts Brook had a charge of drive with middle range prescribed concentration of alcohol – first offence. Mr Coughlin returned a reading of 0.129. He was fined $1,200, was disqualified from driving for 46 days and will have a 12 month interlock.

DAY, Brad, a 21 year old from Aberdeen on charges of drive with middle range prescribed concentration of alcohol – first offence and negligent driving – no death or grievous bodily harm. Mr Day had a collision while driving his vehicle and was attended to by a witness with medical experience. An ambulance was called and he was taken to Wagga Wagga base hospital. When he was released from hospital police attended the university accommodation and he admitted to police, “yeah I was driving home and went around the corner and spun out and hit a pole, I don’t really remember.” Police asked if he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol and he replied, “no comment”. Mr Day returned a reading of 0.080. He was given a community corrections order for 12 months, fined $400, is disqualified from driving for four months, will have a mandatory interlock period for 12 months, will do 50 hours community service and is to complete the traffic offenders program.

EDMONDS, Jayne Maree, a 49 year old from Timor did not appear in court but sent notice to court of non-appearance on charges of possess unauthorised firearm-T2, not keep firearm safely-not prohibited firearm/pistol and possess unregistered firearm-not prohibited firearm/pistol-T2. The alleged offences occurred on August 28 in Timor. Ms Edmonds is yet to enter a plea and the matter was adjourned to January 22.

EDMONDS, Kyle Andrew, a 30 year old from Raymond Terrace failed to appear on a charge of possess prohibited drug. Mr Edmonds and three other people were observed in a “concealed location” near the railway station in Scone at approximately 3:15am. Police asked what they were doing there and a female said they were there to drop one of the men to the train. The police explained the next train wasn’t until 6am. The female said she must not have read the train timetable properly. All versions of what they were doing at the location were contradictory and confusing. Police found a bag containing methylamphetamine. Mr Edmonds was convicted in his absence and fined $200.

ETCHELLS, Susannah Elizabeth, a 59 year old from Rutherford pled not guilty to a charge of assault school student while attending school in Merriwa. The matter was adjourned until February 19.

FAHEY, Laura Edna, a 53 year old from Merriwa had a charge of drive with middle range prescribed concentration of alcohol – first offence. The alleged offence occurred on June 21 in Merriwa at approximately 7:30pm on Cullingral Road, when Ms Fahey returned a reading of P0.086. The matter was adjourned until January 22.

GILLFEATHER, George Francis, a 22 year old from Parkville pled guilty to a charge of drive with middle range prescribed concentration of alcohol – first offence. The offence occurred on December 1 at approximately 12am on Main Street, Scone, when Mr Gillfeather returned a reading of 0.129. Police were conducting patrols Mr Gillfeather was seen leaving the Willow Tree Hotel rear carpark and mounted the gutter. Mr Gillfeather told police he had his first drink at 4pm, last just prior to being pulled over by police and estimated he had consumed eight rum and cokes. The matter was adjourned until January 22.

HAYNE, Steven Andrew, a 40 year old from Moonan Flat pled guilty to a charge of class A motor vehicle exceed speed by more than 10km per hour. The matter was dismissed.

HERBERT, Joel David, had two charges of common assault and one charge of fail to appear in accordance with bail acknowledgment the matters were adjourned to Muswellbrook court on January 20 for sentencing.

IRVINE, Brett Anthony, a 53 year old from Burrell Creek entered a written plea of guilty to a charge of drive with middle range prescribed concentration of alcohol – first offence. The offence occurred on October 27 at approximately 12:25am on the New England Highway in Scone, when Mr Irvine returned a reading of 0.133. Mr Irvine told police he had consumed eight mid-strength beers, with the first at 4pm and the last at midnight and told police when he was pulled over, “I’ll be over for sure!” Mr Irvine must attend court on January 22 to clarify some items in his written plea.

JOBSON, Andrew Scott, a 31 year old from Barraba appeared in court on charges of possession of equipment for administering prohibited drugs and possess prohibited drug. The offence occurred on October 19 at approximately 2:30am. Mr Jobson came to the attention of police when he revved his car in Kelly Street and was estimated to be exceeding the speed limit by 20 kilometres an hour. Police asked if there was anything illegal in his vehicle and he said no. When asked about a backpack he said, “yeah there might be a bong and some green.” Police found 62.8 grams of cannabis and a glass bong. He was fined $200 for possession of the bong and $300 for the cannabis.

JONES, Andrew Ronald, a 44 year old from Scone appeared in court and pled guilty to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The offence occurred at the Golden Fleece. He was convicted and fined $800 and given a 12 month community corrections order.

LAMBKIN, Blake Wade, a 25 year old from Tamworth appeared in court and pled guilty to a charge of stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm. Mr Lambkin said he had no recollection of the event, due to being under the influence of drugs. He was convicted and given a conditional release order for 12 months.

MUFFETT, Kain Michael, a 23 year old from Scone was not in court for charges of cause grievous bodily harm to person with intent and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The matter was adjourned until January 22.

MUJAMMAMI, Fahad Jubran A, a 28 year old from Callaghan appeared on two charges of class A m/v exceed speed by less than 10 kilometres per hour. Mr Mujammami indicated to the court he was not the driver and a hearing was set for May 21.

MURTAGH, Ryan Evan, a 20 year old from Segenhoe did not appear in court on a charge of drive with middle range prescribed concentration of alcohol – first offence. The offence occurred on November 2 in Susan Street, Scone when Mr Murtagh returned a reading of 0.086 and told police he had been at the Belmore and consumed four drinks. Mr Murtagh was found guilty in his absence and the matter was adjourned until January 22 for sentencing.

PINKERTON, William Graham, a 31 year old from Moonan Flat had charges of drive, licence suspended – first offence and a charge of never licensed person drive vehicle on road – first offence. Mr Pinkerton was disqualified from driving for three months and fined $400.

RANDELL, Brenton Peter John, a 29 year old from Aberdeen had a charge of behave in offensive manner in/near public place/school. The matter was adjourned until February 19.

RANDELL, Jai Anthony, a 32 year old from Scone had a charge of use carriage service to menace/harass/offend. The matter was adjourned until February 19.

RANDELL, Nathan James, a 25 year old from Murrurundi pled guilty to a charge of behave in offensive manner in/near public place/school. Mr Randell was given a conditional release order for 12 months.

RYAN, Dean, a 46 year old from Scone had a charge of contravene apprehended violence order. Mr Ryan was given a conditional release order for 12 months.

SAUNDERS, Katie, a 36 year old from Aberdeen had a charge of drive motor vehicle during disqualification period – second offence. The matter was adjourned until January 22.

SMITH, Michael Raymond, a 60 year old from Scone had a charge of drive with middle range prescribed concentration of alcohol – first offence. Mr Smith returned a reading od 0.118, but his “pristine driving record” was noted and he was given a conditional release order for 12 months.

SQUIRES, Chad William, a 24 year old from Scone had a charge of stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm. The matter was adjourned until February 19.

TOWLER, Sophie, a 19 year old from Denman appealed a decision by the Roads and Maritime Services to suspend her licence. The appeal was allowed.

WADE, Tammy Louise, a 50 year old from Edgeworth appeared on a charge of never licensed person drive vehicle on road. Ms Wade was given a 12 month community corrections order.

WATKINS, Gregory Ernest, a 63 year old from Coffs Harbour had a charge of enter private land to hunt animal without landowner consent and hunt game animal on private/public land without licence. The matter was adjourned for hearing until June.

Read: Previous Court Reports.