Felicity Lehane, Sam Flecknoe in court over alleged ram raid

A Coffs Harbour woman who once aspired to be a police officer wept as she was refused bail for possession of a homemade firearm equipped with a silencer.

Felicity Lehane is to appear on a charge of possess unauthorised prohibited firearm at Coffs Harbour Local Court on April 22.​

A Coffs Harbour woman who once aspired to be a police officer wept as she was refused bail for possession of a homemade firearm equipped with a silencer.

Felicity Lehane, 29, faces a string of charges relating to an alleged ram raid of an ATM in Sydney last month and the discovery of the loaded weapon by police after her arrest at a Coffs caravan park on Tuesday, March 8.

He co-accused, Sam Flecknoe, 22, has also been charged in connection with the Sydney incidents, and he did not apply for bail when he appeared by audio visual link at Coffs Local Court from the Clarence Correctional Centre on Wednesday.

Ms Lehane and Mr Flecknoe have pleaded not guilty to all charges against them.

The police prosecutor opposed the bail application for Felicity Lehane, arguing it was a “strong” case with CCTV and forensic evidence, and that the alleged conduct had been “planned”.

Lawyer Joseph Harding appeared for both, and sought bail for Ms Lehane.

He said Ms Lehane was “four to five weeks” pregnant, had a place to stay in Coffs Harbour, and had suffered significant trauma in her past.

He said Ms Lehane had never been in custody before and had worked since the age of 14.

She had also enrolled in the police academy at one point, Mr Harding said.

The police prosecutor opposed the bail application, arguing it was a “strong” case with CCTV and forensic evidence, and that the alleged conduct had been “planned”.

Magistrate Ian Rodgers said he noted the report that Ms Lehane was carrying a child, and had close community ties and the support of her family.

Mr Rodgers said the case against her on the Sydney matters – the alleged ramming of an ATM at Glenorie and the involvement of a stolen motor vehicle which was later set on fire – was largely circumstantial.

But the Coffs Harbour matter related to Ms Lehane allegedly informing police that there was a firearm in her bedroom at the caravan park.

Ms Lehane and Mr Flecknoe are charged with attempted larceny, destroy/damage property in company, destroy property in company use fire, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity and destroy/damage property intend criminal activity of group.

Ms Lehane is also charged with possess unauthorised prohibited firearm.

Mr Rodgers formally refused bail for Mr Flecknoe.

The Sydney matters have been listed for mention at Parramatta court on April 20.

The firearm matter has been listed for mention at Coffs court on April 22.

Originally published as Felicity Lehane, Sam Flecknoe in court over alleged ram raid