Shots fired in alleged violent home invasion that sparked suburb lockdown

A man allegedly involved in a home invasion, that shut down an Ipswich suburb – during which the victim was shot at while attempting to flee – has been denied bail.

A man allegedly involved in a home invasion — during which the victim was shot at while attempting to flee — has been denied bail after the incident prompted a lockdown in an Ipswich suburb.

Police made an emergency declaration under the Public Safety Preservation Act in Purga at 5.45pm on Monday, after officers were called to an address on Ipswich Boonah Rd following reports shots had been fired. 

Grace Kelly Minchinton 29, and Nikolaus Alexander Blyton, 34, were charged and had their matters mentioned in Ipswich Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Also allegedly involved was Angus Gerald Roeton’s whose case was briefly mentioned on Tuesday.

The trio have been charged with two counts each of entering a premises with intent to commit indictable offence, and one count each of serious assault of an officer while armed with a weapon, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, authority required to possess explosives and acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm. No pleas have been entered.

Specialist police were engaged with the group for more than five hours, with three people eventually arrested. Picture Qld Police

Blyton, who appeared via video link from custody, was represented by Legal Aid criminal lawyer Thirushka Naidoo, who called on Magistrate Grace Kahlert to release Blyton on “strict” bail conditions.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Matt Donaldson opposed the bail application and told the court the allegations were “extremely serious” and had “unacceptable risk of committing further offences.”

The court heard Blyton was located on the property less than 1km away from where the initial alleged incident occurred.

He said he was yet to receive information on what Mr Blyton’s alleged role in the incident was, but had been tested for gunshot residue and investigations remain ongoing.

The court heard balaclavas and ammunition casing were found at the residence.

“Turning to the history, there is a relevant history for violent offending; there have been breaches of suspended sentences previously,” he said.

Blyton interjected via the video link while the prosecution continued making their submission to the court.

“These are extremely serious allegations that involved three co-defendants going on to a property, uninvited by the victim, there being a disturbed by the victim when he has returned home and the victim being fired upon by at least some of those defendants as he is attempting to flea,” he said, of the police case.

A man taken into custody by police after a stand-off with police fore more than five hours. Picture Qld Police

Ms Naidoo said “on the evidence his involvement is very limited” and said at this stage it was a “largely circumstantial case” and argued he would be able to comply with strict bail conditions if he was released.

“It is serious offending, and no submission can detract from that. He denies his involvement, and ultimately he is contesting the charges,” she said.

Magistrate Kahlert refused bail, Blyton was remanded in custody, scheduled to appear in the Ipswich Magistrates Court for a committal mention on June 18.

Ms Minchinton’s matter was briefly mentioned. Lawyer Matthew Fairclough told the court she had been in hospital following the incident but had since been released into custody.

Mr Fairclough told the court he would not be making an application for bail for Ms Minchinton and was adjourned for June 18.

Roeton was also remanded in custody, scheduled to reappear in court on June 18.

Originally published as Shots fired in alleged violent home invasion that sparked suburb lockdown