Balmain car shooting: Marshal Hau granted bail in Manly Local Court
A man was in Manly Local Court to face allegations he was involved in shooting a car in the inner west last year.
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A man who allegedly fired two shots into a car in Sydney’s inner west was granted bail by Manly Local Court on Friday.
Police allege Marshal Hau, 22, of Dee Why, was the person who left bullet holes in the Hyundai hatchback at Balmain East on August 29 last year.
But Magistrate Michelle Goodwin released Mr Hau on strict conditional bail despite police applying to keep him behind bars.
Ms Goodwin said the prosecution case, which relies significantly on security camera footage, had “deficiencies” and that the case, at this stage, was “circumstantial”.
At the time of the alleged incident witnesses reported hearing gun shots in Pearson St around 9pm before a white hatchback was seen speeding off after hitting a parked vehicle.
Two men were also seen running from the scene.
A white Hyundai Accent hatchback was recovered on The Terrace, Birchgrove, the next day, August 30. It had bullet holes in the passenger side and crash damage. Following a forensic examination, blood was also found inside.
Earlier this month investigators released CCTV vision of a red Mazda seen driving in the area shortly before the shooting.
Police also asked for assistance to identify a man seen loitering in a nearby underground car park.
On Thursday Balmain detectives went to a house on Corrie Road, North Manly, and arrested Mr Hau.
He was charged with discharge firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
In the bail application on Friday, Mr Hau’s lawyer, Elliot Rowe, said the prosecution would have difficulty proving his client discharged a firearm.
Mr Rowe said there were also identification issues.
“The quality of the CCTV in the car park is fairly poor”.
Ms Goodwin agreed.
“There are, in my view, deficiencies in the case.” she said.
Ms Goodwin granted Mr Hau strict bail. He will be back in Manly Local Court on January 21.
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