Man charged over alleged Boxing Day gunpoint kidnapping with sawn-off shotgun

An East Lismore man has faced court after allegedly kidnapping an older man with a sawn-off shotgun and firing shots on Boxing Day. Here’s what we know.

The incident began shortly after midnight on December 26 when a 29-year-old man was allegedly forced into a vehicle at gunpoint.

An East Lismore man has faced court after shots were allegedly fired during a gunpoint kidnapping in Casino on Boxing Day.

Vincent Roberts, 27, appeared in Lismore Local Court on Tuesday charged over an alleged kidnapping, assault and firearm possession.

The incident began shortly after midnight on December 26 when a 29-year-old man was allegedly forced into a vehicle at gunpoint on Johnston St, Casino.

The man was allegedly assaulted several times as he was driven to Terania St, North Lismore, where he escaped on foot.

Police alleged in court that Roberts then fired a number of shotgun rounds from the car.

The 29-year-old man suffered minor injuries.

About 1.20am, police stopped and searched Roberts’ vehicle, seizing a shotgun, methamphetamine, cocaine, and ammunition including spent cartridges.

The man was arrested and taken to Casino Police Station where he was charged with 13 offences.

Roberts was charged with: Kidnap with intent to commit serious indictable offence, two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, intimidate intending fear of harm (domestic), three counts of possess prohibited drug, supply prohibited drug, knowingly deal with the proceeds of crime, possess a shortened firearm without authorisation, possess a loaded firearm in a public place, possess ammunition without holding a licence, and not keep firearm safely.

The East Lismore man has been refused bail to appear in Lismore Local Court on January 9. No pleas have been entered.