A MAN has been refused bail accused of taking a woman hostage and holding her and police at bay in a siege lasting more than four hours.
The 51-year-old made no application for bail in Armidale Local Court on Thursday charged with five offences from the Beardy Street siege on Wednesday night in Armidale, as well as four other charges from an unrelated incident. He cannot be identified for legal reasons.
Police were forced to storm the house at 11.45pm, following hours of negotiations.
“Police negotiators were activated as were SPSU but we forced entry prior to the arrival of those other agencies,” New England Inspector Chris McKinnon told The Leader.
Police negotiators were activated as were SPSU but we forced entry prior to the arrival of those other agencies.
- New England Inspector Chris McKinnon
“Police did a good job to contain the situation, and the operation came to a resolution when officers forced entry and arrested the male.”
Police allege the 51-year-old was armed with a knife when he went to the Beardy Street house.
“Police allege he forced a 38-year-old occupant who was in the backyard into the house,” Inspector McKinnon.
“Police were called and commenced negotiations with the occupant.”
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Several officers were called to the scene and police were able to speak with the woman and the accused via mobile phone.
When the situation deteriorated, officers stormed the house.
Paramedics treated the woman at the scene. She suffered minor injuries including cuts and abrasions, police said.
The man was taken to Armidale Police Station and charged with five offences including reckless wounding, take or detain person with intent to obtain an advantage, threat or inflict actual bodily harm on a person with intent to have sexual intercourse, commit act of indecency and contravene an apprehended violence order (AVO).
Police will allege the incident was not random, but rather domestic-related.
The man was refused bail by police and spent the night in custody before appearing in Armidale Local Court on Thursday.
During the brief proceedings, the 51-year-old made no application for bail and it was denied by magistrate Michael Holmes.
The court heard the man was also facing four other charges of contravening an AVO. Magistrate Holmes adjourned them along with the fresh charges.
The man will reappear in court in August.
Breanna Chillingworth
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
