Twarne Tomarra denied bail over alleged violent armed robbery, deprivation of liberty, assault

A 21-year-old father, charged over a violent armed robbery during which a man was allegedly “taken against his will”, says he only did some of what he is accused of.

Twarne Tomarra, 21, has alleged he did not stab a man during a violent armed robbery and deprivation of liberty incident, and claimed it was his co-accused.

A young father has faced court over allegations he took part in a violent armed robbery during which a man was stabbed and left stranded on a rural road in the Mackay region.

Mackay Magistrates Court heard 21-year-old Twarne Tomarra denied stabbing the victim or ever holding any weapon but has told police he was involved in the alleged incident including forcing the victim into a car and punching him.

“How am I going to be satisfied that he’s an acceptable risk of not committing further offences,” Magistrate Damien Dwyer said during a bail application for Mr Tomarra, who the court heard had an active criminal history.

Mr Tomarra, who appeared in court via videolink, had also been on probation when the alleged offending occurred.

Police were called to investigate after a member of the public found a 45-year-old West Mackay man alone and injured on Balnagowan Mandarana Rd just before 2am on January 6, 2025.

He had suffered a non-life-threatening stab wound to the leg and was taken to Mackay Base Hospital.

Police allege between January 5-6 the man was assaulted and taken against his will from a Nebo Rd motel.

Mr Tomarra is facing multiple charges, including armed robbery in company, deprivation of liberty and assault causing bodily harm while armed and in company in relation to the alleged serious assault.

An alleged co-accused has already appeared in court on the same three charges - his bail bid was also rejected.

Mackay Court House

The court heard Mr Tomarra was deemed to be in a show cause position for his bail application because it was alleged a weapon was used during the offence - this meant the onus was on him to show why he should get bail.

Legal Aid Queensland solicitor Rosie Varley said her client had been engaging with probation and he instructed his case worker wanted to keep working with him.

She submitted he would be on probation for some time and as such would be under supervision - Ms Varley said her client also instructed he would be happy to wear an ankle monitor while on bail.

Ms Varley said her client instructed that he was not armed with the alleged weapon “being the scissors”.

“Mr Tomarra instructs that at no time was he hold a pair of scissors,” Ms Varley said.

The court heard Mr Tomarra made some admissions to police during a record of interview “with respect to the co-accused and essentially the actions by the co-accused.”

It also heard that during the record of interview Mr Tomarra said, “no, I didn’t stab him”.

Mr Dwyer said it was alleged Mr Tomarra made admissions including “I put him in the middle and then I punched him in the face a couple of times, but it was the other fellow that stabbed him with the screwdriver”.

The court heard Mr Tomarra told police he had gone to the motel, gotten the alleged victim out and forced him into a car “putting him in the middle so he couldn’t run away, punching him in the face”.

Ms Varley said her client’s admissions also referred to “the directions that he was taking from the co-accused”, however she conceded it was a “very strong case” against Mr Tomarra.

The court heard his girlfriend was currently pregnant with their second child and Mr Tomarras had been dealt with in October 2024 for up to 26 offences that included breaching bail, break and enters and assault.

Mr Dwyer refused to grant Mr Tomarra bail, deeming his risk of failing to appear and of committing further offences was too high.

Matters were adjourned to April for committal mention.