Tyreak Shillingsworth-Byers: Dubbo teenager allegedly attempts robbery, stabs business owner

A Dubbo teenager who allegedly stabbed a business owner multiple times following a failed robbery attempt has fronted court. Here’s how it unfolded.

A Dubbo teenager who allegedly wielded a knife and stabbed an elderly business owner after a botched robbery has sought bail.

Tyreak Shillingsworth-Byers, 19, was supported by a packed courtroom of family members, including his mother, as he appeared via video link from Wellington Correctional Centre on Monday.

He was refused bail after his arrest on Saturday night and charged with break and enter of a dwelling with intent to steal, break and enter to destroy property and aggravated robbery with wounding causing grievous bodily harm.

According to documents tendered to court, police will allege that an intoxicated Shillingsworth-Byers “kicked [and] punched” the front door of Poolworx on Erskine Street while using a small “bar-like tool” to gain entry into the shop.

Lindsay Mumford Suzuki where Tyreak Shillingsworth-Byers is alleged to have stabbed a victim three times.

They further allege that an alarm was activated, alerting security, but the teenager could not get in, turning his attention to Lindsay Mumford Suzuki on the corner of Fitzroy and Erskine Streets.

Court documents reveal police will allege that this time Shillingsworth-Byers smashed the front glass door, locating keys to a Suzuki van, before starting it up and colliding with another vehicle parked in the car yard.

He then allegedly drove the van into a fence and gate, where it became stuck.

The business owner rushed to the scene, finding the crashed van, where she noticed a young man – who police allege to be Shillingsworth-Byers in a grey hooded jumper – and asked him, “what are you doing?”.

The teenager allegedly rushed the victim after she exited the vehicle, demanding her keys and pushing her to the ground where he “used a knife to stab her three times”.

Shillingsworth-Byers then allegedly grabbed the victim’s keys but could not drive off with the car, fleeing from the scene as paramedics and police attended the scene shortly after to assist the victim.

Police claim he was tracked down by a police dog on Pozieres Street, standing with his grandmother, where he was arrested and taken to Dubbo Police Station.

Tyreak Shillingsworth-Byers was refused bail in Dubbo Local Court on Monday, September 12.

The victim was taken to Dubbo Base Hospital, where she was treated for non-life-threatening stab wounds to her arm and upper back.

The court heard on Monday from the teenager’s lawyer, Toshi Weller-Wong, who applied for a release application on his behalf.

Mr Weller-Wong appealed to Magistrate Roger Prowse, explaining that Shillingsworth-Byers could relocate to an address in Eglington, Bathurst, to live with his cousin.

He said his client would be willing to adhere to a curfew from 9pm to 6am, saying that Shillingsworth-Byers has “no risk of failing to appear” at future court dates.

Mr Weller-Wong pointed out the teenager did not have any breaches or warrants against him but accepted his client would be remanded in custody “for a relatively lengthy period” if he was sentenced for this matter.

Magistrate Prowse wasn’t satisfied with the defence’s submissions and said the proposed bail conditions would not mitigate potential risks to community safety.

He refused bail due to the “strength of the Crown’s case,” and concern that Shillingsworth-Byers was a flight risk, adding that the teen would undoubtedly serve jail time for the alleged offence if sentenced.

Shillingsworth-Byers will return to Dubbo Local Court via video link on November 9 this year.