Werris Creek bowling club ram raid: Dylan James Stahn and Jacob Burns enter pleas of guilty to aggravated break and enter in company

Jacob Burns and Dylan James Stahn were 22 at the time of their arrest, both appeared in Tamworth District Court on Monday.

Issues were raised when Stahn's lawyer, public defender Stuart Bouveng, made the case that his client was ready to be arraigned, while the facts were yet to be agreed in the case of co-accused, Burns.

Judge Deborah Payne questioned whether she could arraign Stahn while issues with the facts still existed in Burns' case, given both faced the same charge.

"I'll take my chances," she said.

"Why should I be put in this position?"

Mr Bouveng made it clear he wasn't concerned with the outcome in Burns' case and was only interested in an outcome for his client, who had dialled into the court via telephone for his case to be dealt with.

"My client is pleading guilty to that and agreed facts," he said.

"I'm not concerned about Mr Burns, my client wants to be arraigned and get off the screen and get on with his life until November Your Honour.

"I think it's common ground between the Crown and myself on behalf of Mr Stahn that this plea was offered some time ago and there's not going to be any conflict that he's entitled to a 10 per cent discount."

Stahn pleaded guilty to aggravated break and enter in company and his matter was adjourned until November.

Co-accused Burns entered a plea of guilty to the same charge and will return to court on August 30 to determine whether the facts in the case have been agreed with DPP solicitor Max Dixon.

Legal Aid lawyer Paul Ye told the court Burns will be assessed by a psychologist, but COVID-19 restrictions meant that the earliest appointment wasn't until November.

Read also:

Burns and Stahn were arrested by police after a targeted hit on the Werris Creek Bowling and Tennis Club on October 14, 2019.

The pair broke into the Werris Creek Bowling and Tennis Club on Henry Street, where they admit they stole an ATM and $52,740 in cash in the company of a third, unknown male.

A sentence assessment report will be prepared in Stahn's case.

Both are also accused of stealing a white Toyota Hilux in the town on the same day, but are yet to enter pleas to that charge.

Judge Payne ordered that neither of the men will need to appear in court on their next date and bail was continued.

The pair initially denied all charges against them in Tamworth District Court in February.

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: