Man on firearms charges

Police say forensic analysis that confirmed their suspicions about a shooting in Mills St near Thompson Crescent in South Tamworth more than 18 months ago led to a man being arrested in Wagga Wagga last week.

The man has been charged over the firing of shots from a low-calibre firearm that struck a house in Mills St on January 1 in 2011.

Police investigations at the time included extensive interviews with a number of people, including the arrested man, but it wasnt until the results of the forensic examination of evidence found at the scene were completed that they had fresh leads.

Two Tamworth detectives went to a farm 70km south of Wagga Wagga last week to speak with a man in relation to the crime. They have charged him with firing a firearm in or near a public place, and possessing an unauthorised pistol.

The 41-year-old was granted conditional bail and ordered to appear in court again on October 31.

The investigation centred around reports that a number of shots were fired around 5.30am on New Year’s Day 2011. Police said then it was fortunate that someone wasn’t injured in the incident.