Delays for tradies Matthew Enman, Nathan McGrath accused of break and enter, knives

A hearing date has been set for two workmates who police allege were caught with knives, a military-style machete, drugs, a crowbar and baton on a rural private property in Sydney’s southwest.

A hearing date has been set for two workmates who were allegedly caught with knives, a military-style machete, drugs, a crowbar and baton on a rural private property in Sydney’s southwest.

The matters of tradies Matthew Enman, 40, and Nathan McGrath, 36, were heard at Picton Local Court on Wednesday after the pair were allegedly caught trespassing on a private property at Menangle last year.

According to documents tendered to the court, police searched Mr Enman’s Bringelly home on October 28 and found a raft of valuable items which were allegedly stolen from the Macarthur and Liverpool regions over the previous 18 months. Police claim they uncovered a tabletop trailer, boat trailer, box trailer and plant trailer and contacted Mr Enman for an explanation.

The documents show Mr Enman, who works as a carpenter, did not return home or talk to police.

A few days later on November 3, Mr Enman and Mr McGrath allegedly drove Mr Enman’s Toyota Hilux to a property on Stevens Rd in Menangle with mud smeared over the number plate.

According to court documents, the property is surrounded by fencing indicating it is private land with warnings against trespassing. The pair allegedly walked past a CCTV camera which alerted a security company to their presence.

According to the documents, the homeowner was notified and confirmed the pair did not have permission to allegedly enter the home. He called police before driving to the property to find the Hilux parked out the front, the police fact sheet states.

Police allege they soon joined the owner outside the property, where they found the pair lurking outside the buildings.

Mr Enman was arrested and charged with trespass offences and the allegedly stolen vehicles. Mr McGrath was found a short time later, allegedly with a bag containing a yellow flick knife and wire cutters, and was also placed under arrest.

The men were searched and Mr Enman was found with a silver-coloured metal door handle, which he told police he “picked it up off the ground”.

Matthew Enman and Nathan McGrath have been directed not to contact each other while on bail. Picture: Adelaide Lang

When asked why there was mud on his number plate, Mr Enman told police “Maybe I didn’t clean it, I don’t know” before later saying “I did it, I was mucking around chucking s**t at it”, according to court documents.

Police allege they found multiple knives in the car including a bowie knife, a hunting knife, a military-style machete, a pocket knife, and a Stanley knife. Officers also claim they found resealable bags with 7.1 grams of marijuana and 1.5 grams of methamphetamine, a crowbar, baton and other drug paraphernalia.

Police allege Mr McGrath admitted to owning the knives, which he said he used “for hunting mate” and for cutting up kangaroos and sheep on a rural property.

Mr McGrath has pleaded not guilty to entering enclosed land without lawful excuse, entering building with intent commit indictable offence, possessing housebreaking implements, larceny, two counts of custody of knife in public place, possessing a prohibited weapon without permit, using class A vehicle displaying altered number-plate, and two counts of possessing prohibited drugs.

Police allege the trespassing occurred on Stevens Rd in Menangle.

His workmate and fellow tradie Mr Enman pleaded not guilty to four counts of goods suspected stolen on premises, enter enclosed land without lawful excuse, enter building with intent commit indictable offence, possess housebreaking implements, larceny, custody of knife in public place, possess a prohibited weapon without permit, found with intent to commit indictable offence previous conviction, two counts of possess prohibited drug, use class A vehicle displaying altered number-plate, and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen.

Both men will now proceed to a local court hearing to fight the charges.

Mr McGrath and Mr Enman will return to Picton court on November 11 for the hearing.