A FAMILY charged in connection with a conspiracy to murder the alleged victim of an armed robbery have had their cases adjourned as investigators compile telephone intercepts against the accused.
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Detectives allege Cindy Lee Chomel was conspiring to have the alleged victim of an armed hold-up in August last year murdered, after her son was charged over the armed robbery.
Investigators from Strike Force Mulholland – a covert operation set up by Oxley police to target the supply of illegal drugs in Tamworth – arrested Chomel, as well as three of her sons and another woman.
Jake Field remains in custody, charged with robbery while armed with a dangerous weapon, as well as attempted robbery, and other drug and proceeds of crime offences.
Police allege he tried to rob a man of cash by pointing a pistol at him in Susanne St on August 31, with co-accused Ashleigh Bridge also facing one count of aggravated robbery.
Field’s solicitor, Yvonne Phillipos, told Tamworth Local Court on Tuesday her client didn’t want to appear via video link but that she had been served with five fresh driving while on a cancelled licence offences at court and needed time to gather instructions.
His brother, Dylan Chomel, is charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and two counts of dealing with property being the suspected proceeds of crime, and remains on conditional bail.
His barrister, Bruce Donnelly, said he needed to see the full brief of evidence before he could proceed with the case.
“We’re on the periphery of this alleged conspiracy,” he told the court on Tuesday.
“What we need is the transcripts of these alleged intercepts.”
Police allege Wayne Daniel Skafte, who is charged with possessing an illegal drug, possessing a prescribed restricted substance and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, conspired with his mother to interfere with a witness to stop the matter going to court.
Director of Public Prosecutions solicitor Cameron Reynolds said investigators had not been able to transcribe and serve all of the intercepts.
“The brief was received by the DPP on the 18th of January,” he said.
“It’s been screened sufficiently for negotiations.
“There is some outstanding material.”
Mr Reynolds said more time was needed “for some telephone intercept transcripts to be obtained”.
But Magistrate Roger Prowse said there was no way he was adjourning the case to April, adding it was unbelievable the DPP was “still not ready”.
“The matter has been going since the 11th of September,” he told the DPP.
“Only five months down the track and you’re still not ready.”
Cindy Chomel appeared via video link from Silverwater Women’s Correctional Centre and was supported by family members in court, who waved at her.
She made no application for bail and it was formally refused.
Mr Prowse said the outstanding brief items needed to be served by the start of March, to give solicitors time to review the material before the case returns to court later that month.
“It’s in for committal or disposal,” Mr Prowse told Cindy Chomel.
“Thanks for coming in.”
“Thank you,” Chomel replied.
Bridge, Skafte and Dylan Chomel remain on conditional bail.