Luke Raymond Caban, 26, fronted Tamworth Local Court yesterday charged with a string of offences but was granted strict conditional bail and ordered to post $10,000 surety.

Caban has been charged with 13 offences including firing a gun in a public place, possessing a loaded firearm, using a firearm under the influence, driving under the influence, police pursuit – not stop Skye’s Law, driving in a manner dangerous and trespassing.

Despite defence submissions arguing it wasn’t a strong case, Magistrate Mal MacPherson didn’t agree.

“On the face of it ... it’s a reasonably strong prosecution case in relation to these charges,” he said. “It is a serious allegation, discharging a firearm in a public place.” 

But the magistrate agreed to grant strict conditional bail and imposed a number of conditions on Caban.

Caban was to place the surety and will have to reside with his parents in Bulga, report daily to Singleton police and abstain from drinking alcohol.

Caban is yet to enter any pleas and will have to front Singleton Local Court in September.

The charges stem from events that unfolded on Tuesday just before midnight on a property on Prairies Rd, Kelvin.

Tamworth Police Acting Inspector Stuart Campbell said a 32-year-old landowner noticed a Toyota Hilux on his property and went to investigate before a verbal altercation ensued.

“A male has let a number of shots go in his general direction,” Acting Inspector Campbell said.

Barraba police were called to the property before mounting a search.

The white Toyota Hilux was located, but the driver failed to stop when directed and drove through a number of fences to avoid police.

Police say the vehicle was pursued along Long Arm and Rangari roads but the pursuit was called off when it reached speeds of 130km/h.

The car was later found, abandoned and entangled in fences and police seized a shotgun and cartridges.

A Bulga man was arrested at Gunnedah Police Station and subsequently charged with 13 offences on Wednesday.

Police believe there were two offenders in the car and are looking for a truck driver who might hold the missing link to the puzzle.

“There has been information that suggests that a vehicle – that being a white rigid truck – has possibly picked up two males and dropped them in the Kelvin village in the early hours of Wednesday,” Acting Inspector Campbell said.

“We are appealing for members of the public in and around those areas that might have seen the truck or the driver, we would appreciate if they could contact Gunnedah or Tamworth detectives.

“It could have been just two people walking along the road and they have picked them up.”

If you have information call detectives or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.