Tobey Lee Hyde jailed for Lambton intimidation over debt owed

One of two men that rocked up to a Newcastle home late one night to threaten a man over a debt he owed, where a pistol was used as intimidation, has been sentenced. Read what happened in court.

Tobey Lee Hyde was jailed at Newcastle District Court last week over intimidation. Supplied Amy Ziniak

One of two men that rocked up to a Newcastle home late one night to threaten a man over a debt he owed, where a pistol was used as intimidation, will be out of jail in time for Easter.

Tobey Lee Hyde, 34, rocked up at a Lambton address late at night on September 7, 2022, with friend Zane Christopher Holding, 25, where the pair demanded the resident only had a few days to “pay up” or they would return and take his car.

Police facts detailed that when they arrived, the man refused to open the door before Holding brandished a ‘gel blaster’ in his hand and “cocked” it to intimidate him.

But the pair’s arrival sparked the man’s partner to call her mother and brother who confronted Hyde and Holding in the driveway as they went to leave.

Police facts said Holding again pulled out the firearm and said “we know he’s inside, tell him we’ll be back”.

Zabe Holding was with Hyde when the pair tried to intimidate a man over a debt at a Lambton address. Holding had a ‘gel blaster’. Picture: Instagram.

Nomads bikie Zane Holding has been charged with drug supply. Picture: Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/zane1998nffn/ https://www.facebook.com/zane.holding.92

The pair fled but they didn’t get far, as police arrested Holding coming out of the front yard of the Turton Rd home before a search uncovered amphetamines and cannabis in his pocket.

Police facts said Hyde was also stopped getting into his ute parked outside the house and was being “evasive and hostile” towards officers, but denied knowing anything about the incident before officers let him go.

That night police searched the yard of the Lambton home and found the black pistol with CCTV footage revealing it was identical to the one Holding had used.

CCTV footage also revealed Hyde’s involvement that night and he was arrested the following month.

Hyde pleaded guilty to two counts of intimidation, with a number of other charges against him dismissed and was sentenced in Newcastle District Court last week.

Judge Roy Ellis imposed time jail of one year and nine months, with a non-parole period of nine months, which means with time served he’ll be eligible for release next week.

The court heard Hyde – who was on bail at the time of the offence – had a “lesser” criminality than Holding.

“Shouldn’t have been there in the first place, chasing up drug debts,” Mr Ellis said.

Holding has also pleaded guilty to five charges, including use of an offensive weapon to commit an indictable offence, drug possession and possession of an unauthorised firearm.

He’ll be sentenced in April.