Four on trial in District Court accused of brutal Azalea Ave, Coffs Harbour kidnapping
The key witness in a kidnapping trial has remained tight-lipped over an alleged accomplice suggesting the victim – found in a blood-soaked inflatable pool – get a lethal ‘hot shot’ and be dumped in the bush.
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The key witness in a kidnapping trial has remained tight-lipped over an alleged accomplice suggesting the victim – who the jury previously heard was found in a blood-soaked inflatable pool – get a lethal ‘hot shot’ and be dumped in the bush.
Sam Flecknoe, 24, came under fire from Crown Prosecutor David Morters in Coffs Harbour District Court on Monday over the alleged December 2022 kidnapping and assault of Daniel Riley, 48, at an Azalea Avenue home.
The jury heard Flecknoe entered a guilty plea in April to detaining without consent in company and causing actual bodily harm.
The four on trial who allegedly acted in company with Flecknoe – Dean Hurst, 48, Rikki Sheen, 38, Steve Adams, 48, and Jessica Gibson, 32 – have all pleaded not guilty to kidnapping in company with intention to commit bodily harm.
Hurst, Sheen and Adams also pleaded not guilty to reckless wounding in company, with Sheen and Adams entering an additional not guilty plea to possessing or using a prohibited weapon without a permit.
Hurst pleaded not guilty to using a prohibited weapon contrary to a prohibition order.
On Monday, Mr Morters called Flecknoe to the witness stand.
“You admitted you heard ‘how are we going to get rid of this c-nt? Are we going to give him a hotshot and get rid of him in the bush?,’” Mr Morters told Flecknoe.
Flecknoe told the Crown he refused to give further evidence.
Mr Morters then told the jury that Flecknoe had pleaded guilty to striking Mr Riley, kicking him and inflicting a ‘degloving nail injury’ with an angle grinder. When reminded of his offending, Flecknoe said nothing in response.
Mr Morters then made a suggestion that Flecknoe was “protecting the accused”.
When cross-examined by Sheen’s defence lawyer, Flecknoe told the court that Sheen took no part in the alleged assault or detention of Mr Riley.
When further questioned by Hurst’s defence lawyer, Flecknoe testified that Hurst did not commit any violence against Riley.
Further evidence shown in court included CCTV stills captured at the property.
The jury was also shown police body-worn camera footage from the morning of the alleged kidnapping.
Earlier in the trial, it was alleged police went to the property and heard yelling from a garage.
The jury heard they entered and spotted the four co-accused inside including Adams, who was holding a baton up and standing in front of the small inflatable pool.
Inside the blow-up pool was the alleged victim Daniel Riley, police allege.
When a Crown prosecutor asked the officer to describe the colour of the water in the pool, he replied it was “a deep red”.
The officer also told the court Mr Riley had visible injuries on his head, back and shins.
The trial continues.
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