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Two women charged with perverting course of justice in Valentine’s Day death

Two women have been charged with allegedly perverting the course of justice, in an investigation into 33-year-old Nathan Costello’s death on Valentine’s Day last year.

Nathan Costello was shot dead in February 2018. Picture: Facebook.
Nathan Costello was shot dead in February 2018. Picture: Facebook.

Two women have been charged with perverting the course of justice as part of an investigation into the alleged Valentine’s Day murder of an Illawarra man last year.

Nathan Costello, 33, was killed at Unanderra’s Carr Parade last year, after a drive-by shooting, which police at the time said was a “targeted attack”.

Shortly after Mr Costello’s death, Matthew Spinks, 33, was charged with his alleged murder, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

After the shooting, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad and Lake Illawarra Police District established Strike Force Gangele to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Police on scene at Unanderra after Nathan Costello was shot dead outside a home. Picture: 9 News Illawarra.
Police on scene at Unanderra after Nathan Costello was shot dead outside a home. Picture: 9 News Illawarra.

NSW Police say the investigation uncovered links to an alleged drug supply syndicate operating in the Lake Illawarra area.

As part of those inquiries, investigators conducted a Firearms Prohibition Order (FPO) search at a home at Barrack Heights on April 26, during which a 31-year-old woman was present.

Following further investigations, the woman was arrested at Lake Illawarra Police Station on October 22 and charged with do act intending to pervert the course of justice and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.

Police will allege in court that the woman assisted an occupant of the premises, who it is alleged had possession of ammunition, firearm parts and stolen property.

Police said the shooting was “targeted”. Picture: 9 News Illawarra
Police said the shooting was “targeted”. Picture: 9 News Illawarra

The Dapto woman was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Wollongong Local Court today.

A second woman, aged 37, was arrested at Lake Illawarra Police Station the following day on October 23.

She was charged with supply prohibited drug, hinder apprehension person who committed serious offence, do act intending to pervert the course of justice, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.

Police will allege in court that the woman assisted a man to avoid police on Wednesday, September 26, 2018.

It’s further alleged that the woman was involved in the supply of ice in the Illawarra area.

The Barrack Heights woman was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Port Kembla Local Court on December.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/illawarra-star/two-women-charged-with-perverting-course-of-justice-in-valentines-day-murder-case/news-story/ab976ceb1784ae89a35aea75a2fb5564