Four on trial in District Court accused of brutal Azalea Ave, Coffs Harbour kidnapping

The jury in a wild North Coast kidnapping trial has been shown police footage of the alleged victim in a blow-up pool with water stained a “deep red colour”. Read the exclusive report.

The Azalea Ave kidnapping accused. Picture: Coffs Coast Advocate/Supplied

The jury in a kidnapping trial underway at Coffs Harbour has been shown police footage of the alleged victim in an inflatable pool with water stained a “deep red colour” due to his injuries.

The evidence in Coffs Harbour District Court came from one of the four officers who stormed a garage on Azalea Ave as part of a covert operation.

The Azalea Ave property at the centre of the allegations.

The policeman hit the stand on Tuesday during the trial of co-accused Dean Hurst, 48, Rikki Sheen, 38, Steve Adams 48 and Jessica Gibson, 32, regarding the alleged abduction on December 30 2022.

They have all pleaded not guilty to the same charge of kidnapping in company with intention to commit bodily harm. Hurst, Sheen and Adams are also accused of reckless wounding in company.

Dean Hurst. Picture: Supplied

Adams and Sheen have also pleaded not guilty to possessing or using a prohibited weapon without a permit, while Hurst has also pleaded not guilty to using a prohibited weapon contrary to a prohibition order.

It has been alleged in the court that police went to a 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.

Jessica Gibson outside the court late last week.

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.

Steven Adams. Picture: Supplied

In the footage, officers tell the accused they were there to serve some paperwork, but while giving his evidence in court the officer said he only said this because he “didn’t want Mr Hurst to know that we were monitoring communications”.

Earlier, Mr Riley gave evidence. He said he was a former carpenter and believed some of his tools were in the shed of the Azalea Ave property.

A trio of defence lawyers for two of the accused cross-examined Mr Riley over his account for hours: barristers George Costantine, Douglas Tate and John Carty.

Rikki Sheen. Picture: Supplied

Mr Carty suggested Mr Riley was offered a favour or inducement by detectives when approached after he had been discharged from hospital following the alleged kidnapping.

It was alleged Detective Sergeant Bennett Nolan said he could have Mr Riley struck from a particular register if he “made a statement”.

“An offer was never made,” Mr Riley replied.

The trial before Judge Michael McHugh continues.