Christopher Zayat from Wingham faces Taree court on gun charges, Daniel Latimore named as co-accused

A Mid-North Coast man kept stolen guns – including a double barrel shotgun – in a cricket bag at home as a favour for an old workmate when the friend’s property became too “hot”, a court has been told.

Taree Police Station and Courthouse.

A Wingham man with no criminal history kept stolen guns, including a double barrel shotgun, in a cricket bag at his home as a favour for an old workmate.

Christopher George Zayat stashed the firearms when it became too “hot” at a house across the street, Taree Local Court has heard.

Police searched Zayat’s house on June 6 and he took them to the guns in a back room.

Checks revealed they had been stolen in a break-and enter-at the small town of Cedar Party in February last year.

Zayat faced the court on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to possessing unauthorised firearms and not keeping firearms safely.

In addition to the “side-by-side” double barrel shotgun, there was a .22 rifle in the bag, the court was told.

Meanwhile, co-accused man Daniel Latimore has been remanded in custody.
His case returns to court on July 30, where he is due to be sentenced on a range of charges including supplying and possessing drugs, possessing a prohibited weapon and contravening a restriction in an apprehended violence order.

Christopher George Zayat leaves Taree Court on Monday, July 9.

Latimore and Zayat used to be workmates at Wingham Abattoirs, Zayat’s lawyer told the court.

“They worked together for four years, about four years ago,” he said.

The defence lawyer alleged to the court Latimore had been “grooming” Zayat for favours and his client “found it hard to say no to people”.

“He didn’t have the spine to tell him to rack off,” the lawyer said.

The court heard Zayat lived across the street from Latimore, who sent his a text message.

“Hey, house is a bit hot right now, can I keep two of my sticks at your place for a day or two until I figure out where to keep them,” the message allegedly read.

“Your (sic) the only one I trust not to do anything silly.”

Zayat agreed to take hold of guns and the same night he allegedly received another text from Latimore: “Night, there’s a suss car cruising … don’t trust those c--ts from town.”

Magistrate Sharon Crews told the court during sentencing Latimore “picked his mark” well considering Zayat lived across the street and had no criminal record.

She said it was “very concerning” that the guns were “just kept in a bag” and not properly secured.

“You’ve got to learn to say no to people,” Ms Crews told Zayat,

He was convicted for both offences and placed on a 12-month conditional release order to be of good behaviour.

Got a news tip? Email: [e-mail]