Matthew Tansley: Man charged with alleged Casino machete assault

A man who is facing charges of an alleged machete assault and hid from police in a motel cupboard has been refused bail. See why the magistrate deemed the allegations ‘very serious’.

A man who was found hiding in a Casino motel room cupboard after an alleged assault has been refused bail.

Matthew Tansley, 36, appeared via video link on Monday before Lismore Local Court.

Police will allege in court that the 36-year-old entered a residence on January 9 while armed with a machete and assaulted a woman who he had been in a relationship with previously.

Mr Tansley then fled, avoiding police.

Police gained entry to a unit where the man had been living on January 26 of this year.

Police will allege they located a pistol and other items within the unit.

Officers attached to Richmond Police District later found Mr Tansley hiding in a cupboard in a motel room on Hare Street, Casino on February 11.

He allegedly tried to push past officers but was arrested.

Solicitor Rod Behan told the court on Wednesday Mr Tansley had been in custody since February and wanted bail to attend a Sydney rehabilitation centre.

He said Mr Tansley would agree not to enter Casino.

Police will allege Mr Tansley was hiding in a cupboard in a motel room on Hare Street, Casino on February 11.

However, the application was opposed by the NSW Police Prosecutor who had issues that Mr Tansley only now wanted to address his “longstanding” addiction problems.

“(He is) someone who has had that for some time... the rehabilitation of this applicant must take a back seat to retribution general and specific deterrence,” he said.

He said he was also concerned Mr Tansley would contact witnesses if granted bail.

Magistrate Jeff Linden noted they were “very serious offences” before refusing bail.

“I am normally sympathetic to rehabilitation but in this case I am not satisfied,” he said.

After he heard the bail refusal, a visibly distressed Mr Tansley knocked on his videolink door to get out before the matter was finalised.

Magistrate Linden adjourned the matter to June 29 in Lismore Local Court.

Mr Tansley stands charged with aggravated enter a dwelling while armed, common assault (DV), 2 charges of stalk/intimidate, act intending to pervert the course of justice, using a carriage service to harass, entering a building with intent to commit and indictable offence, possessing an unauthorised pistol, possessing an unregistered pistol, not keeping a pistol safe, possessing ammunition without a permit, armed with intent to commit and indictable offence, and possessing the means to disguise a face with intent to commit an indictable offence.

He is yet to enter any pleas.