Northern NSW police districts join forces to target alleged high-risk offenders in domestic violence operation

Police in the north have joined forces to crack down on DV in an operation targeting alleged high-risk offenders. One man has already pleaded guilty to breaching an AVO and stalking, among other charges.

Four people have been charged and one has already pleaded guilty. Picture: Trevor Veale

North Coast police have joined forces to crack down on domestic violence in an operation targeting alleged high-risk offenders.

It comes after a northern NSW councillor and anti-DV warrior spoke out following shocking domestic violence cases in local courts – and DV crimes committed while offenders were on correction or apprehended violence orders, or free on bail.

Coffs Harbour High Risk Domestic Violence Offender Team – aided by the Richmond Domestic Violence Team, Proactive Crime Team, Crime Prevention Unit and Dog Unit – held the joint operation early this month.

Police charged three men and a women in the joint operation targeting people wanted on warrants within the Richmond Police District.

The operation targeted alleged high-risk offenders.

About 9.55am on Wednesday, police attended a home on Muli Muli Crescent at Muli Muli, where they arrested a 35-year-old man following an alleged foot pursuit.

Thane Williams was taken to Casino Police Station on two warrants and charged with three counts of breaching an AVO, as well as one count each of common assault, choking and causing grievous bodily harm.

He was refused bail to reappear before Lismore Local Court on July 10.

Police then attended a home on Jubullum St, Tabulam about midday and arrested 31-year-old Daniel Avery, 31.

He was taken to Casino Police Station on four warrants and charged with breaching an AVO, stalk/intimidate and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Avery has also been charged with larceny, damaging property by fire, and break-and-enter offences. He was refused bail to face Casino Local Court on May 9.

Casino Police Station.

Later, about 1.55pm, police arrested a 25-year-old woman at Casino, Melissa Cavanagh.

She was taken to Casino Police Station on a warrant and charged with two counts of breaching bail and one count each of breaching an AVO, and attempted stalk/intimidate.

She was refused bail to face the same court over videolink on May 9.

Lismore Courthouse.

Police then went to a home on Brampton Ave, West Ballina about 9.15am on Thursday.

Guyra Towney, 36, was arrested and taken to Ballina Police Station, where he was charged with two counts of breaching an AVO, as well as one count each of stalk/intimidate, entering the premises of a person without lawful excuse, and possess a prohibited drug.

He pleaded guilty to all charges before Magistrate Karen Stafford in Ballina Court on Thursday.

Towney is due to remain in custody to face Ballina Local Court over videolink for sentencing on June 19.

Police state they will be continuing similar operations.

Know more? Phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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