Bega: Fifth man charged with alleged murder of 43-year-old Gordon Kessey
A fifth person has faced court and denied bail after the alleged stabbing murder of a man during an “extremely violent” confrontation on the state’s South Coast, after a senior police officer said further arrests could not be ruled out.
A fifth person has faced court and denied bail after the alleged stabbing murder of a man during an “extremely violent” confrontation on the state’s South Coast, after a senior police officer said further arrests could not be ruled out.
Serkan Hosoglu, 48, was arrested about 4.30pm Sunday following weeks of Strike Force Nakstone investigations into the alleged murder of Gordon Kessey on East St, Bega at about 2am on October 6.
Hosoglu was taken to Bega Police Station where he was charged with murder and wounding with intent to murder.
His arrest comes as the fifth charged with the alleged murder of Mr Kessey, who was allegedly fatally stabbed during a late night confrontation, which harrowing footage obtained by The Daily Telegraph revealed also included a chainsaw being revved.
Police previously confirmed a chainsaw was produced during the confrontation, but was not used to physically harm.
Emergency services were called to the scene following concern-for-welfare reports, where they found Mr Kessey deceased.
A second alleged victim, 45-year-old Benjamin Smith, was also found at the scene suffering stab wounds.
He was taken to South East Regional Hospital, but has since been released.
Mr Smith is not accused of any wrongdoing.
On Thursday, November 20, detectives conducted multiple raids across Bega and Bemboka, resulting in the arrests of Kody Lloyd, 29, Dion Lloyd, 32, Benjamin Robinson, 34, and Latisha Mundy, 19.
All four appeared in Bail Division Court on Friday each charged with murder and wounding with intent to murder.
Mundy and Dion are also facing charges of possessing an unauthorised firearm.
All four are yet to enter pleas.
Hosoglu – also yet to enter pleas – appeared in Bail Division Court on Monday before Rosheehan O’Meagher where he made an unsuccessful bail application.
His lawyer, Andrew Herring, said his client denied “any involvement” in the alleged offending, with Hosoglu claiming he was at home during the confrontation.
Ms O’Meagher denied bail and said Hosoglu had been charged “with the most serious offence in the criminal calendar”.
“It appears to be a strong prosecution case,” she said.
“It is an extremely violent example of murder”.
Hosoglu will appear in Batemans Bay Local Court on January 19.
His court appearance follows those of the co-accused – also before Ms O’Meagher – where Mundy also made a bid for bail on the basis of her youth and Aboriginal heritage.
Ms O’Meagher shut down the bid and said the allegations were too serious, acknowledging Mundy was a “willing participant” who allegedly stabbed Mr Smith twice in the face before saying “you’re going to f--king die, I’m going to kill you”.
Mundy, the Lloyd’s, and Robinson will appear via video link in Batemans Bay Local Court on January 19. None of the accused are on bail.
The six-week investigation included searches of a Bega unit and wetlands, where police divers looked for an alleged murder weapon, believed to be a double edge dagger.
Det Acting Insp Luke Walsh previously said the Strike Force Nakstone investigation had been an enormous effort.
“This has been a complex homicide investigation involving multiple crime scenes, forensic and investigative searches, and the NSW Police are grateful for the assistance from the local Bega community,” he said.
Investigations continue.
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