THE man accused of wielding a firearm at volunteer firefighters near Tamworth has been released on bail but must live away from where the alleged threats were made.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Michael Stephen Finch was successful in his bail bid in Tamworth Local Court on Monday, two days after he was arrested on the outskirts of town.
Police allege the 41-year-old pointed a rifle at volunteer Rural Fire Service (RFS) crews who were carrying out controlled burns off Appleby Lane at Appleby.
It's the police case that Finch was armed with the firearm, outside of a property about 10.30am on Saturday, when the confrontation allegedly occurred.
READ ALSO:
Police were alerted and went to the scene. Officers spoke with the 41-year-old accused before discovering three firearms and ammunition in a vehicle on the property.
Finch was arrested and later charged, and the guns and ammunition were seized.
He spent the weekend in custody, but did not enter pleas in court on Monday. He faces 13 charges including using an offensive weapon to commit an indictable offence; carrying a firearm in a manner likely to injure persons or property; three counts of not keeping a firearm safely; and eight counts of common assault.
In court, magistrate Peter Thompson granted bail with 10 conditions.
As part of his bail, Finch must stay out of trouble; live in Manilla under an overnight curfew; and must report to Manilla police daily.
He's banned from drinking alcohol or taking drugs; must not possess any firearms or ammunition; and had to post $1000 surety to secure his release.
He's also barred from entering the Appleby area; or contacting any prosecution witness.
Finch has been ordered to return to court next month.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark northerndailyleader.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News