Dubbo Local Court: Titan Gilkes pleads guilty to 2021 murder of Wellington man Paul Jacques

A young man in the state’s central west has pleaded guilty over the death of a 67-year-old, who was shot three years ago during what police have described as a robbery.

Dubbo courthouse.

A young central west killer has pleaded guilty to murder in a country court, after a 67-year-old man was shot dead during what police previously described as a robbery.

Titan Gilkes, now 23, appeared via audiovisual link at Dubbo Local Court on Thursday, when he pleaded guilty to the murder of Paul Jacques at a home on Gisborne St, Wellington, in August 2021.

The Dubbo man and his co-accused, Mark Charles Stanley, 22, were charged in June 2023, almost two years after the incident.

The charges followed an in-depth investigation conducted by Strike Force Clavert detectives.

Stanley, who is also charged with murder, is yet to enter a plea.

Gisborne St, Wellington. Picture: Google Maps

Gilkes also initially faced a charge of assault with intent to rob while armed with a dangerous weapon, but it was withdrawn following his murder plea.

Both men have been refused bail.

Emergency services arrived at the scene of the murder about 3.30am on August 2, 2021, after reports of a shooting.

Upon arrival, Orana Mid-Western District officers found Mr Jacques with a gunshot wound to his leg.

He was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance before being taken to hospital in a serious condition, where he died as a result of his injuries a short time later.

Local police established a crime scene and commenced inquiries before detectives attached to the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad took carriage of the investigation under Strike Force Clavert.

Following inquiries, Gilkes was arrested at a correctional centre on the NSW south coast on June 7, 2023.

He has now been committed for sentence in the NSW Supreme Court, where he is set to appear for an arraignment on October 4.