Queensland man Mark David Nugent set to fight Ballina, northern NSW drive-by shooting charges

A Queensland man charged with firing shots into a home after a gun and drug deal went bad in northern NSW has been remanded in custody and intends to fight allegations.

A Queensland man charged with firing several shots into a home after a gun and drug deal went bad in northern NSW intends to fight allegations.

Collinsville man Mark David Nugent, 50, appeared in Lismore Local Court over videolink from Clarence Correctional Centre on Thursday, applying for bail.

Nugent was arrested at Collinsville on June 4 after a man was targeted in a drive-by on Brunswick St, Ballina about 9.15pm on April 10.

A bullet lodged in the internal wall of a home – above a child’s head, while another four struck the exterior. Fortunately, no-one was physically injured.

Brunswick St, Ballina. Picture: Google Maps.

Nugent faces eight charges: fire firearm at a home with disregard for safety, firing a firearm in a manner likely to injure, possessing a loaded firearm in a public place, not keeping a firearm safely, using an unauthorised prohibited firearm, possessing an unauthorised prohibited firearm, receiving property stolen outside NSW (more than $15,000), and participating in a criminal group.

It was reported in September, following his denied Supreme Court bail application, that co-accused Ballina’s Robert Blanch, allegedly supplied a .303 calibre rifle with a telescopic sight to the man later targeted in the drive-by.

Police allege this gun was used.

“Police established the applicant (Blanch) and the intended target of the shooting were in contact with each other in relation to the supply of a .303 rifle,” Justice Peter Garling said.

Nugent allegedly wanted to “scare the f--k out of” the buyer.

Police believe he knocked on the front door, asked for the target by name and was told he did not live at the address.

Nugent and Blanch have been refused bail. Picture: iStock

It’s alleged Nugent left and retuned later and fired into the home.

Police allege Nugent was seen on Brunswick St about 5pm and that police found his DNA on a discarded cigarette butt outside the home.

A stolen car police alleged was connected to the case. Picture: Supplied

The prosecution said the case against Nugent had been delayed due to its “complexity” and asked for an adjournment to February.

The court also heard officers learned an undercover police officer was involved in investigations, which made things more difficult.

Mark David Nugent, 50, faced Lismore District Court.

Defence lawyer Eddie Lloyd said Nugent had been detained for six months waiting on a “circumstantial” case and was unable to enter pleas.

However, Magistrate Jeff Linden disagreed and said the prosecution case was “strong”.

The prosecution said encrypted messages from multiple phones were being deciphered.

Nugent’s bail was refused and the case was adjourned to February 14.