Taree RFS captain Ty Desmond Saunders on domestic violence charges

The captain of an RFS fire brigade on the Mid-North Coast has been temporarily stood down after he was slapped with several DV-related charges including assault causing actual bodily harm.

Taree Courthouse.

The captain of the Taree Rural Fire Brigade has been temporarily stood down after he was slapped with a number of domestic violence related charges including assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Ty Desmond Saunders, 41, has pleaded guilty to common assault and intentionally or recklessly destroying property but not guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The three charges stem from an incident at Taree between 5.30 and 5.45pm on March 19 and involve the same alleged female victim.

Saunders was arrested by police the same day and granted bail, with court documents revealing he had a limited criminal history of traffic matters and no known history of violence.

Ty Saunders.

A NSW Rural Fire Service spokesperson confirmed that he has been temporarily stood down

“The RFS immediately stood down the captain of the Taree Rural Fire Brigade once it was notified of the charges against him.

“A review of his membership will be undertaken pending the outcome of court proceedings.”

His matter will return to Taree court on October 18.

Decisions to stand down or remove a member from the RFS are made on a case-by-case basis.
When a member has committed – or is alleged to have committed – a criminal offence, the decision will be made following the consideration of all available information, including the severity of the offence.

All prospective members of the RFS ages 16 and over are subject to a criminal history check and applicants seeking probationary membership of a brigade must also disclose any reportable conduct or criminal convictions.

They must also state whether they have previously been removed from the RFS or any other volunteer organisation.

The RFS use this information to then determine if an applicant is suitable.