Boxer David Birchell charged in relation to Warwick Farm shooting

A single father of three and amateur boxer who once coached Australian champion Danny Green has been refused bail after he fronted court over driving another man to a southwest Sydney unit where he allegedly shot someone last month.

Sylvania father and boxing coach David Birchell has been charged with driving a man to a Warwick Farm apartment where he allegedly shot another man in October 2018. Picture: Facebook

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A single father of three and amateur boxer who once coached Australian champion Danny Green has been refused bail after he drove another man to a southwest Sydney unit where he allegedly shot someone last month.

Sylvania man David Birchell, 45, faced Sutherland Court after he was charged with being an accessory to a shooting causing grievous bodily harm.

The father of three coaches boxing part time in the Sutherland Shire. Picture: Facebook

Police allege a 21-year-old man was fighting with another man over a missing $3000 before he shot the man in the knee at his Warwick Farm unit at 4.45am on October 2.

Legal Aid solicitor Christina Vassilou told Magistrate Jayeann Carney Birchell agreed he had driven the man to and from the location but had no knowledge of the shooting.

“He denies having any knowledge of the firearm or the shooting that took place,” Ms Vassilou said.

Birchell denied any knowledge of the shooting incident in October. Picture: Facebook

However, police will allege Birchell took possession of the firearm allegedly used in the shooting days prior on September 30 before he drove the man to the Warwick Farm unit.

“The accused is allegedly seen on CCTV waiting for (the man) after receiving a Facebook message saying to come and pick up the rifle,” the prosecutor told the court.

“CCTV shows (Birchell) leaving the address carrying an item in a Woolworths shopping bag covered by a suit bag, which is alleged to be the rifle, and puts it in his vehicle.”

Police allege Birchell then picked up the man and another defendant and took them to the Warwick Farm address.

Birchell offered a surety or $20,000 but was denied bail to face court again on January 17.

Birchell is a carer for Aboriginal elders residing in the Sutherland region. Picture: Facebook

Birchell has primary custody of his three children aged six, nine and 12 and supports his elderly parents.

He works as a carer for Aboriginal elders with a Sutherland community organisation and coaches boxing part-time at Bodyfit Miranda and Club Vulcan in Menai.

“He is an Aboriginal man and I’m cognisant of the over-imprisonment of Aboriginal men,” Ms Carney said.

“But having found it’s a strong case on the facts as submitted, four to five days of CCTV and certain admissions, the court has not been shown why detention is not justified.”