A TAMWORTH man has been refused bail, accused of gun and serious domestic violence threats.
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Luke Anthony Shields shook his head in the dock of Tamworth Local Court on Friday when he was refused bail on 11 charges.
The 36-year-old's accused of an aggravated break-in of a Ringer's Road motel on February 2; intimidation of his former partner at her North Tamworth home; firearms offences; as well as drug possession and goods in custody.
Shields was stopped on Nundle Road just before 7am on Thursday. Police then raided a Woolomin property where they seized two rifles; three scopes; ammunition; and what they claim is cannabis and a railway detantor with a plastic water bottle with tape.
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Police prosecutor Sergeant Rob Baillie opposed bail and said "warrants have been issued in the past" for Shields to come to court.
He added the "protection of the complainant ... and also the protection of the community" was needed because police had made the "discovery of the firearms offences when they go search his home".
"The prosecution does oppose bail primarily on the protection of the complainant," he said.
He detailed the intimidation allegedly directed at the complainant in December.
"The threats allegedly [were] 'I can kill you with my bare hands'," Sergeant Baillie detailed to the court.
"A serious threat to a woman who he was previously in a relationship with."
Legal Aid solicitor Edward McMahon said Shields, who was supported in court by family and a friend, was a boiler maker who was employed. He lived out of Tamworth, and could post $1000 surety.
He said he could report to police and stay away from the motel and the complainant.
The court heard that Shields went to the woman's home in December and she told police he claimed to have "allegedly fired a bullet" into her home.
Mr McMahon said Shields had not had contact with the complainant for two months, since December, and it was on her evidence that he said he fired a bullet in her home.
He said Shields' last matter on his record was 2013, and it had mainly been drink driving-related matters, but his client could abstain from drugs and alcohol.
Magistrate Julie Soars said she considered Shields' record, and the "serious nature of the threats" involving a domestic violence complainant.
"I'm just tipped against granting Mr Shields bail," she said, "there's a variety of offending alleged".
He will return to court in April.
Breanna Chillingworth
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
