What police allegedly found after Tahi Kedwell pursuit and arrest in South Grafton

Fresh information can be revealed about the items allegedly seized after a teen was arrested following a 59-year-old man having his left hand “cut off” on the Coffs Coast.

A man has been arrested in South Grafton and charged after a man’s hand was cut off on Wednesday in Coffs Harbour.

Fresh information can be revealed about the items allegedly seized after a teen was arrested following a 59-year-old man having his left hand “cut off” on the Coffs Coast.

Court documents reveal new details about other items seized on April 16 in South Grafton — the same day of the alleged assault.

Police allege Tahi Kedwell, 18, was in possession of 4.26gm of cannabis and .26gm of methamphetamine at the time of his arrest.

A machete was seized from the vehicle Kedwell was driving at the time of his arrest in relation to the alleged aggravated break and enter and assault at Toormina Place, Coffs Harbour.

And while the machete has been sent for forensic examination, no charge has been made in relation to it.

Toormina Place Coffs Harbour where a 59-year-old man had his left hand cut off on April 16.

The court proceedings on Thursday, April 17, revealed that Kedwell was “too intoxicated” to consent to a forensic procedure at the time of his arrest.

Defence lawyer Anne-Alece Johnstone told the court Kedwell was currently “inherently unwell”, suffering an infection, and under “round the clock” observation.

The unit block in Toormina Place, Coffs Harbour where the alleged violent attack occurred.

The court heard Kedwell was not in a position to consent to a forensic procedure sought by police or apply for bail.

Magistrate Julia Virgo told the Coffs Harbour Local Court that she must make the application for an interim forensic order so that potential evidence would not be lost.

Unless those orders are made, the samples of the sort taken would likely perish,” she said.

After the alleged assault on the victim, Coffs-Clarence Police pursued a vehicle without registration plates during a routine patrol about 9.45pm on Wednesday.

Kedwell appeared in Coffs Harbour local court the day after the alleged violent attack.

The vehicle allegedly became bogged during the pursuit on a sports field before police arrested Kedwell.

He was charged at Grafton Police Station with special aggravated break and enter to commit a serious indictable offence, causing grievous bodily harm with intent, a police pursuit, prohibited drug possession, driving unlicensed and not displaying registration plates.

No pleas have been entered.

Police are still looking for a second man allegedly present during the incident involving the 59-year-old man.

Kedwell was charged at Grafton Police Station.

The incident unfolded just before 7am.

Police attended to find a man’s hand was severed after two men had “forced their way into the unit”.

“NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the 59-year-old man at the scene before he was flown to John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition,” a NSW Police statement read.

Upon arriving at the scene officers found two women, aged 58 and 80, also at the premises who were uninjured.

A police pursuit the night of the alleged assault resulted in Kedwell’s arrest.

Officers were told two men, one known to the alleged victim, had allegedly assaulted him before police attended.

“They left before police arrived,” the NSW Police statement continued.

Kedwell is due back in court on April 29 when he will have an opportunity to apply for bail.

Police are urging anyone with information to contact the Coffs Harbour Police Station or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Originally published as What police allegedly found after Tahi Kedwell pursuit and arrest in South Grafton