Robert Bruce Blanch jailed after selling gun to alleged Ballina drive-by victim

A North Coast meth addict supplied a gun to a man later targeted in a drive-by shooting in the state’s north, a court has heard. Here’s what we know.

A North Coast meth addict supplied a gun to a man later allegedly targeted in a drive-by shooting in the state’s north, a court has heard.

Robert Bruce Blanch faced Magistrate Michael Dakin in Lismore Local Court.

Blanch waved to his partner and other family over videolink from Clarence Correctional Centre, where he has been on remand since his arrest on June 7 last year.

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Blanch from Ballina supplied a .303 calibre rifle with a modified telescopic sight to the fellow allegedly targeted in the drive-by.

Blanch was paid in methamphetamines and cash for the firearm, the court heard.

On April 10 last year, police began investigating after reports that a home was sprayed with seven bullets in a drive-by shooting on Brunswick St at Ballina.

It was reported a bullet became lodged in an internal wall of the property – above a child’s head – while another four struck the outside. Fortunately, no-one was physically injured.

Bullets were shot into the Ballina home.

During a prior Supreme Court bail bid, Justice Peter Garling said Blanch “made admissions to the obtaining of an unlawful or illegal weapon, and the supplying of it to the person who police contend was the intended victim of the drive-by shooting”.

“Police established the applicant (Blanch) and the intended target of the shooting were in contact with each other in relation to the supply of a .303 rifle,” he said.

“It is a matter of sheer happenstance and good fortune that no-one was injured.”

Text messages between Blanch and the other man also proved the supply, the court heard.

Picture: Cade Mooney

Defence lawyer Joanna McNae told the court on Wednesday that Blanch – who was convicted of supplying an unregistered firearm and taking part in the supply of a prohibited drug – was addicted to meth at the time of offending.

She asked the court to consider time already served behind bars.

Mr Dakin said Blanch was on a suspended Queensland prison term when he offended.

He told the court Blanch did not have a gun licence or licence to sell, but acted as a “facilitator”.

Mr Dakin said: “Firearms are kept out of the hands of those committing criminal activity.”

Blanch was sentenced to 18-months jail backdated to June 15 last year, with a non-parole period of 12 months.

He will be eligible for parole on June 14.