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Two of the men charged by Strike Force Raptor risked a further predicament when they breached their bail prior to facing Mudgee Local Court on Wednesday.
Their conditions stated that they not associate with each other while at liberty. However, Jacob Christopher Calvert, aged 32, of Linburn Lane, Cooyal, and Paul Victor Denoord, aged 51, of Gladstone Street, Mudgee, were seen talking outside the court house on the morning.
The latter’s solicitor, Roland Day, submitted that his client “didn’t understand he couldn’t talk to [Calvert] at court, he now understands”.
“He’s off to a flying start, he showed up but just breached his bail by having a chat”
Magistrate David Day commented, “he’s off to a flying start, he showed up but just breached his bail by having a chat”.
They were reminded of the ‘not associate...’ condition and are now required to provide any communication devices to police including any passwords and encryption keys.
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The pair, along with Ashley Michael Bassett, aged 35, of Thomas Clarke Place, Mudgee, appeared in local court on charges laid by the Strike Force following the execution of search warrants in Mudgee in late November last year.
They were charged with demand property with menaces with intent to steal, assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company of others, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
With Calvert additionally charged with unsafe storage of ammunition.
These stem from an alleged incident in Mudgee on July 25, 2018, when the trio were accused of an alleged extortion, with their alleged actions done as participation in the Comanchero Motorcycle Club.
The matters will return to Mudgee Local Court on Wednesday, February 20, 2019.
Bassett also faced charges of take person in company with intent commit serious indictable offence, deal with property proceeds of crime, and not disclose driver’s/other passenger’s identity.
These stem from an alleged incident in Mudgee on Sunday, October 28, 2018.
As well as two counts of common assault from the same date.
The two sets of charges were adjourned to February 20 and a hearing on Tuesday, June 4, respectively.
Russell Wayne Lawrence, who was also charged by Strike Force Raptor had been refused bail when he appeared in Mudgee Local Court on December 5.
He was adjourned to appear again via Audio-Visual Link on Wednesday, February 6, 2019.