THERE IS no known reason why Anthony James Koicev allegedly pointed a shotgun out the window of his idling Holden Commodore towards a man on a residential street near Tamworth, a court has heard.
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Koicev fronted the first day of his jury trial in Tamworth District Court on Monday, charged with using an offensive weapon with intent to intimidate after an alleged incident in Carroll, near Tamworth, on October 17, 2019.
Barrister for the prosecution Brendan Queenan gave his opening address to the court on Monday afternoon.
The Crown case is that the complainant was driving late at night between two houses he owned on the same street in Carroll, about 60km west of Tamworth, when he noticed a car he identified as Koicev's follow him.
"The accused drove his Commodore up towards him and stopped approximately 15 metres away," Mr Queenan said.
He told the court Koicev then held a shotgun out the window of the Holden Commodore and pointed it directly at the complainant.
He said he anticipated the man would give evidence that he heard a bang and saw a flash, but was not injured.
Mr Queenan said nearby residents would be called in the trial and would give evidence they also heard a bang at the "relevant time".
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Mr Queenan told the court the two men had known each other for years, but the relationship between them had soured for what the Crown claimed was "no particular reason" the complainant knew of.
The Crown case is that Koicev drove away quickly after the alleged shooting and down a no-through road.
The complainant followed Koicev and, knowing the road was a dead-end, stopped and waited for him to come back the other way, Mr Queenan said.
The court heard three Triple Zero calls were made by the complainant after the alleged altercation.
Mr Queenan said there would be evidence in the trial that Koicev approached a home on the no-through road and asked the woman who answered the door if there was any other way out.
Police canvassed the area before arresting Koicev later and seizing his car, the court heard.
Mr Queenan said he expected there would be evidence that gunshot residue was discovered on Koicev's vehicle during testing.
Mr Queenan told the court witnesses to be called for the Crown during what's expected to be a week-long trial would include the complainant, Oxley police, crime scene and forensic officers, and people that lived in the Carroll area when the alleged incident happened.
Koicev's defence barrister told the court he had opted not to make a statement on the first day of the trial.
"I've taken the view that I will not make an opening address at this point in time," he said.
Koicev is charged in the alternative with intimidating the complainant with intent.
He has pleaded not guilty.
Judge Deborah Payne adjourned the matter to Tuesday for the trial to continue.
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