Dean Kafoa to fight charges after alleged Homestead Motel, Ballina siege
A Tweed Heads man intends to fight allegations he holed up in a Ballina motel and held a woman and child at knifepoint for six hours as police swarmed the scene.
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A Tweed Heads man intends to fight allegations he holed up in a Ballina motel and held a woman and child at knifepoint for six hours as police swarmed the scene.
Dean Kafoa, 39, appeared via audio visual link from Bathurst Correctional Centre before Magistrate Michael Dakin in Lismore Local Court on Wednesday.
Kafoa faces seven charges that have now been referred to the District Court, three to go to trial and three as related or backup charges.
One charge of stalking and intimidation was withdrawn.
Kafoa will contest charges of taking or detaining a person with an intent to obtain advantage and causing actual bodily harm, armed with an intent to commit an indictable offence, and threatening injury to a person with an intent to prevent lawful detention.
He will also argue against related allegations of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contravening a prohibition or restriction in an apprehended violence order, and one count of stalking and intimidation with an intent to cause fear of physical or mental harm.
Police allege held the woman hostage during a six-hour siege at the Homestead Motel on Cherry St, Ballina on July 19.
Court documents state Kafoa was armed with a knife during the siege and threatened the woman and two officers.
The court heard the police brief had been filed and Mr Dakin referred the matter to the higher court, committing Kafoa for trial to the District Court.
Kafoa is due for arraignment in Lismore District Court on June 30 where he is expected to enter formal pleas.
He was bail refused and remains in custody.
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Originally published as Dean Kafoa to fight charges after alleged Homestead Motel, Ballina siege
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