Dean Kafoa charged with breaching avo, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and intimidation after holding woman, child for six hours at Homestead Motel in Ballina
A 38-year-old man has faced court charged after allegedly holding a 29-year-old woman and a 3-year-old boy against their will at the Homestead Motel in Ballina. Here is what happened.
Ballina
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A man has been charged after a six-hour domestic violence related stand-off with police at a sea side tourist town in the state’s north on Friday.
Dean Kafoa, 38, appeared in custody before Magistrate Karen Stafford in Byron Bay local court on Monday.
He is facing charges of breaching an apprehended violence order, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and intimidation with intent to cause fear or harm.
After receiving a call of concern for welfare about 11.15am police attended the Homestead Motel on Cherry St in Ballina where Kafoa was allegedly holding a 29-year-old woman and a 3-year-old boy against their will.
The woman and child are known to the man according to police.
Officers located the motel unit and – with assistance from specialist police – arrested the man at 5pm.
No injuries were reported.
The man was taken to Lismore Hospital under police guard for assessment Friday night.
On Sunday he was released and taken to Lismore Police Station where he was charged with breach apprehended violence order, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and intimidation.
The operation involved tactical police, police negotiators, NSW paramedics, and Fire and Rescue.
Police taped off Hamilton Lane near the Ballina Homestead Motel and have taped off the lane and the driveway.
“A police paddy wagon is in the driveway blocking the entrance itself, a police truck, and a guy was walking to the truck with some type of kit, like a tackle box but a little bigger,” Ballina resident John Walker said.
Emergency services, unmarked police vehicles, ambulance, fire and rescue and police rescue are also on the scene.
“The cafe was also cleared out,” Mr Walker said.
“Following a five-hour police operation, the man was arrested at 5pm,” NSW Police said.
The woman was released without injuries.
The man was arrested and taken to Ballina Police Station where he is assisting police with inquiries.
Investigations into the incident are continuing.
John Walker of Ballina lives in Cherry St.
“Well, im about 25 to 30 meters away. I live kind of across the road and saw it as I was driving up to the shops.
“So obviously a little bit concerned.”
“Ballina used to be a sleepy town now it’s filled with crime,” Ballina local Janelle Orchard said.
“There’s no respect anymore.”
“I hope I’m not watching a tragedy unfold,” Richard Maples, of Alstonville said.
“You sort of can’t look away.
“My family stayed in that hotel a few months back.
“You’re used to seeing something like this in LA and not in our little paradise.”
Kafoa did not apply for bail and is due to return to Ballina local court on August 8.
Got a news tip? email catherine.piltz@news.com.au
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