Coffs cases 2021: see where police investigations are at
From a close range shooting on the Pacific Highway to a CBD stabbing, Coffs Harbour police have provided an update on investigations. See the latest here:
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As 2021 draws to a close we take a look back at a number of major incidents that shocked the Coffs Coast and see where investigations are at.
Shot four times at close range while sitting in car on side of the highway
In a sign of the complicated investigation to follow, three crime scenes were established after a man was shot while sitting in his car on the side of the Pacific Highway in April.
The man had earlier crashed into a wall and was able to drive a short distance before calling friends for assistance.
He was shot four times as he sat in his black ute on the side of the highway north of the Moonee Beach interchange about 1am in what police described as a “targeted” attack.
After being shot, police believe the man managed to drive another 7km north along the Pacific Highway before stopping again just south of the Emerald Beach interchange.
When those he had arranged to assist him arrived, at about 1.20am, he was found with gunshot wounds and emergency services were called.
At the time police would not comment on the background of the victim or whether he was previously known to them but said the 33-year-old had been “assisting police with the investigation”.
Look back on our coverage of the incident including a full timeline of how the shooting unfolded.
When asked for an update on the investigation into the shooting a police spokesperson offered the following statement.
“Investigations are continuing into the incident under Strike Force Baldock.”
Violent stabbing in the Coffs CBD
Just before 9.30pm on Saturday, May 29, a man was walking south on Grafton Street (Pacific Highway) opposite the Coast Hotel when he was approached by a man not known to him.
After a brief conversation, he was stabbed in the back before the armed man fled.
Detectives began an investigation and issued a description of a man about 180cm tall, of a slim build, and with a short brown beard who they wanted to speak with in relation to the incident.
In June a 24-year-old man was charged in relation to the alleged stabbing. He was charged with one count of reckless wounding and remains bail refused to next appear at Coffs Harbour Local Court on Monday, July 4 2022.
Drug driving charges laid over horror head-on smash
It was a confronting scene for first responders and residents when the two cars ploughed into each other on Sawtell Road about 1pm on June 3.
A Holden Captiva SUV, travelling west bound, collided head-on with a Honda CRV travelling in the opposite direction.
The 44-year-old male driver of the Holden and his two passengers, a 38-year-old-man and 38-year-old woman, were treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Coffs Harbour Health Campus with multiple, serious injuries.
The 64-year-old male driver of the Honda was trapped for some time before being freed by Fire and Rescue NSW.
He was also treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics at the scene before being taken to the same hospital in a serious condition. Both drivers underwent mandatory testing.
Detectives arrested the 44-year-old man in Coffs Harbour on Thursday, November 25.
He was taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station and charged with a number of offences including aggravated dangerous driving occasion grievous bodily harm – drive under the influence of drug or drugs.
The Coffs Harbour man was granted conditional bail to attend Coffs Harbour Local Court on January 10.
Four young men behind bars charged with brutal bashing
Four young men spent Christmas behind bars on remand charged with a brutal bashing in the early hours of Sunday, November 28.
Dion Bridge-Johnson, 22, Ashley Mansfield, 26, Joshua Caulfield, 23 and Daniel Russell, 20, are charged with cause grievous bodily harm to person with intent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray.
They appeared in court on the Monday following the incident where lawyers were unsuccessful in their attempts to secure bail for the four.
First to appear was cleaner and father of six Mr Mansfield who, the court heard, was living with family members in Inverell to get a fresh start but was in Coffs Harbour on the weekend to see his children.
Police allege a 46-year-old man was approached by the four before being punched repeatedly until he fell to the ground. He was then allegedly stomped on while unconscious.
Police were called to the scene at Bonville Street about 4am Sunday where they found the man unconscious with serious injuries.
He was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to Coffs Harbour Base Hospital.
The four men will appear in court again in January and February.
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