Coutts Crossing man accused of using front end loader to prevent motorcyclists from leaving, then assaulted them

Coutts Crossing man accused of using a front end loader to block the exit of three motorcyclists then assaulting them.

A Coutts Crossing man has been accused of assaulting three trail bike riders over concerns they were damaging a local road.

A Coutts Crossing man accused of assaulting three trail bike riders with various implements, including secateurs and a front end loader, has been granted bail.

Douglas Wiltshire appeared in Grafton Local Court on Monday where he pleaded not guilty to predatory driving, two charges of using an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence, two charges of common assault and three charges of destroy/damage property.

Police allege that on Sunday Mr Wiltshire confronted three bike riders who had been riding along Clearview Road, and that after the motorcyclists had been on a ride their exit back to Armidale Road had been blocked by Mr Wiltshire in a front end loader.

The court was told a physical altercation then allegedly took place, with Mr Wiltshire accused of using implements including gardening secateurs to threaten and assault the riders.

In making an application for bail Mr Wiltshire’s solicitor Joshua Craig said his client had been a long time resident of Coutts Crossing and had taken “significant exception” to trail bike riders causing damage to the road and the surrounding environment.

Mr Craig also told the court his client had suffered recent medical issues involving the loss of sight in one of his eyes as a result of a blood clot and at 75 years of age would face significant hardship if he remained behind bars.

Magistrate Michael Dakin said he was satisfied that strict bail conditions would address the prosecution’s concerns of further serious offending and the protection of any prosecution witnesses.

Mr Wiltshire was granted bail on the condition that he reside at Coutts Crossing and not to enter or remain on Clearview Road unless travelling to and from his residence and not stop unless in an emergency. He was also ordered not to place any obstruction or signage on the road and not approach or contact any motor vehicle using the road.

The matter was adjourned to June 7.