PROSECUTORS have finalised the charges against some of the major targets accused of being involved in the Tamworth 'ice castle' police sting.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Stephen Hanshaw appeared in court from MRRC. He's the alleged ringleader of the 'ice castle' which police claim was being run out of his Petra Avenue housing commission unit.
He waved to family in court and said "ooooohh" when told some of the 45 charges against him were being withdrawn after a charge certificate was tendered.
"It's a big one," magistrate Julie Soars said, scanning the long list of charges.
READ ALSO:
The DPP confirmed nine charges were to be withdrawn, while four other driving-related offences would remain in the local court.
"I was not advised of any of those matters," agent solicitor Frank Falcomata said.
The Crown and defence will meet in mid-April to discuss the charges. The court heard Hanshaw's Sydney solicitor would sit down with the accused in custody to run through the case.
"This has been going on for months," Hanshaw said.
Corey Cloake appeared via video link from Mid North Coast prison. He is being held on 30 drug supply and firearms charges, including unlawfully selling firearms three or more times within 12 months - an offence that carries a maximum of 20 years' imprisonment, if found guilty. He is yet to enter pleas.
The court heard his case was ready for charge certification, with the charges to be discussed at a case conference at the end of March.
Solicitor Yvonne Phillips said she was "wanting to canvass a Balunda assessment" which would see Cloake moved out of prison and into an intensive rehabilitation centre - run by Corrective Services NSW near Tenterfield.
She said she was "wanting to negotiate with the Crown" to see if there is "any matters that the Crown will accept a plea in the local court for me to make that assessment".
The case was adjourned to the end of April. Cloake made no application for bail and it was refused.
Melanie Caldwell now faces 21 charges after two were withdrawn in court. She's accused of drug and gun supply and will remain behind bars until late-April.
Shaun Andrew Winsor is being held in custody at the John Moroney prison but did not appear in court. His defence has already met with the Crown for a case conference.
Legal Aid solicitor Alex Floyd said "there's been some significant negotiations in the matter" and he needed a few more weeks to finalise them.
"Bail not applied for, refused today," magistrate Julie Soars said.
"I'll note negotiations taking place."
Rebecca Joan Hanshaw waved to family seated in the court. She's being held in Mary Wade prison on a raft of charges including large commercial drug supply and faces life behind bars.
The DPP tendered a charge certificate, telling the court three charges were to be withdrawn but it was pushing ahead with the rest.
The Crown and defence will now discuss the case at a case conference before it returns to court at the end of April.
In December, solicitors for several of the accused unsuccessfully tried to have more than 100 of their gun and drugs charges thrown out because of delays in getting the evidence.
They're accused of being involved in what's been dubbed the Tamworth ice castle drug and gun supply ring, allegedly operating out of a Petra Avenue housing commission unit.
The accused were the first to be arrested in Strike Force Radius and have been in custody since late May, when the operation unfolded. Thirty men and women have been charged as part of the sting.
The court has previously heard it was a six-month investigation and "there's a considerable body of evidence" including telephone intercepts.
Breanna Chillingworth
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
