Ronald Collins of Tabulam fronts Lismore Local Court over armed robbery

The Northern Rivers man has been charged with robbing a Casino resident while armed with a metal bar.

The Tabulam resident stands charged over a January 3 incident where he allegedly robbed a Casino man of $6500, causing grievous bodily harm, while being armed with an offensive weapon, namely a metal bar. Photo Cathy Adams / The Northern Star

A Tabulam man who is charged with robbing a Casino resident while armed has had his bail application shut down for the third time, with a Lismore magistrate slamming the “guesswork” approach.

Ronald Collins had his matters heard in Lismore Local Court on August 11.

He stands charged over a January 3 incident where he allegedly robbed a Casino man of $6500, causing grievous bodily harm, while being armed with an offensive weapon, namely a metal bar.

Back up charges of being armed with intent to cause an indictable offence and reckless wounding in company are also being considered.

During his Wednesday mention, Mr Collins’ solicitor Tom Ivey submitted a release application, noting Mr Collins’ two previous bail applications had already been denied by both local and supreme courts.

However, Mr Ivey said there were special circumstances guiding a third application.

He noted four factors including a new bail address in Taree, separate hearing charges that were withdrawn, strength of the prosecution case and the evolving Covid-19 situation.

“There’s the usual delay in any event and it’s a fairly uncertain future if his trial could be heard,” Mr Ivey explained.

“District Court has effectively ceased trials in the immediate term and it’s a situation where it’s effectively one-on-one... the only evidence implicating Mr Collins is from the complainant.”

He said the alleged victim had a “history of bad blood” with Mr Collins.

Magistrate Michael Dakin was surprised the Covid-19 situation had not been brought up in previous applications and asked if it had.

Both DPP prosecutor Dyllon Westendorf and Mr Ivey could not clarify, as they had not appeared in the previous bail applications and there was no transcript of those appearances present.

“I can’t help but observe Mr Ivey and Mr Westendorf, I feel at a considerable disadvantage,” Magistrate Dakin said.
“In the interest of justice, and I would have thought interest of justice operates in both ways, that you would not engage the court in speculative reasoning or guesswork.”

Given that, he dismissed the bail application.

Mr Ivey said he would renew the application in the District Court.

Magistrate Dakin adjourned the armed robbery causing grievous bodily harm matter for Lismore District Court arraignment on September 27.

The back up charges will also be mentioned on that date.