Troy Barnes: Man accused of kidnapping and holding gun at woman in Buninyong

A man accused of kidnapping a woman and holding her hostage at gunpoint in Buninyong has indicated how he will plead in court.

A man accused of kidnapping a woman and holding her hostage at gunpoint in Buninyong has indicated he will plead guilty to dozens of charges.

Troy Barnes, 29, appeared at the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court via video link from prison on Thursday.

Barnes was initially charged with more than 30 offences after he allegedly kidnapped a woman about 1.45am on August 17, 2021.

Police have previously alleged he was armed at the time and that he threatened to kill the woman, who was known to him.

He allegedly held the woman hostage in a Buninyong house for several hours before he fled, ran into the town and allegedly damaged the windows of a number of businesses.

Traffic was blocked from entering the township and a precautionary lockdown was enacted while police, including the dog squad, swarmed the area in search of him.

Barnes was ultimately arrested about 6.30am after he allegedly knocked on the front door of a family home, with the occupants calling Triple-0.

Barnes’ defence lawyer, Kyle McLaughlin, on Thursday told the court a plea offer had been accepted.

Barnes told magistrate Hugh Radford he would plead guilty to the remaining 26 charges.

These include making a threat to kill, property damage, unlawful assault with a firearm muzzle and using a firearm in a public place. He is also charged with a number of driving and drug possession offences.

The case will proceed as a plea at the Melbourne County Court in August.

Barnes did not apply for bail.