Ex-Nomads boss Bradley Bowtell fifth person charged in connection to alleged Ian Pullen murder
A former Nomads president has become the latest person charged as Strike Force Awabakil continues to investigate the alleged 2018 murder of New Zealand firefighter Ian Pullen.
Police & Courts
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A former high-ranking bikie has become the latest person charged over the alleged murder of a firefighter who police say was accidentally struck by a car before being fatally bashed to cover up the incident.
New Zealand firefighter pilot Ian Pullen was struck by a car as he walked along a street in the Hunter Valley town of Singleton in the early morning of September 29, 2018.
It’s alleged the group in the vehicle returned to the scene a few minutes later and two people bashed Mr Pullen to death, to cover up what they’d done.
Bradley Bowtell, 37, is the fifth person charged in connection to Mr Pullen’s death, after he allegedly tried to divert police attention following the incident.
Mr Bowtell, the ex-president of the Newcastle City Nomads, will face Muswellbrook Local Court on Monday.
He is charged with one count of hindering a police investigation and two counts of concealing a serious indictable offence.
He is also charged with one count of contravening a serious crime prevention order. That order was issued by the NSW Supreme Court in 2018 in an effort to stop him associating with other members of the Nomads.
Mr Bowtell was taken into custody last Thursday and charged with his alleged actions following Mr Pullen’s death.
Strike Force Awabakil detectives charged Joshua Knight, 29, and Nicole Mason, 30, with murder in October last year.
Police allege the duo bashed Mr Pullen over the head to kill him, after he had been hit by their vehicle.
Ivy-Jean Ward, 27, and Lilli-Jane Kaye Sales, 21, were in November charged with accessory after the fact to murder, after allegedly helping hide the vehicle and attempting to divert the police investigation.
It is understood Mr Bowtell came to the attention of police due to his romantic relationship with Ms Ward.
Mr Pullen, a 43-year-old father, had just arrived in Australia to help fight the bushfires when he was killed.
His mother Gill Pullen returned to the Hunter in 2019 to mark a year since his death, saying “we never thought the last time we said goodbye would actually be the last”.
“He was in Australia doing what he loved – ready to help others at the drop of a hat.
“All we want is answers and hopefully we get some soon.”
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