Dennis Bradley Shillingsworth did not appear in Tamworth District Court when his case was called, but Judge Deborah Payne said his defence solicitor had emailed to ask for an adjournment.

The court heard a lawyer for the defence had been unwell and there had also been issues with a report being prepared by a specialist doctor, causing the delay.

DPP prosecutor Max Dixon asked Judge Payne to mention the matter towards the end of this district court sittings in Tamworth at the end of June "for fear of no progress being made" in the case.

"No, it's going to the August sittings," she replied firmly.

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Judge Payne adjourned the matter until the first day of the next district court sitting in Tamworth, which is August 16.

Shillingsworth has been behind bars since his dramatic arrest in December 2019, and did not apply for bail during the mention of the case.

Judge Payne formally refused bail, ordering he remain in custody until the next mention.

The Tamworth man is facing allegations that he went on an out-of-control crime spree on December 18, 2019, that ended in a ball of flames.

Police claim Shillingsworth attempted to steal a car before making his way through Woodward Avenue and Susanne, Edward and Vera Streets in South Tamworth.

Police claim the then 39-year-old then crashed into a parked car, which burst into flames and also caused a fire to erupt at a nearby garage, destroying all three.

Police moved in on Shillingsworth and he was arrested in Vera Street after the incident.

Last year, Shillingsworth did not enter formal pleas but was committed for trial on five charges including attempted stealing of a car; assault with intent to take a car; destroying property worth more than $15,000; assaulting police causing actual bodily harm; and attempted assault with intent to take a motor vehicle.

Four other related charges, namely driving recklessly or furiously; and three counts of resisting police were transferred to the district court to be dealt with after trial.

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