Fugitive Mark Horne refused bail after extradition to NSW from Northern Territory

One of NSW’s most wanted fugitives was found in an unlikely hiding spot as police feared he would flee Australia. Here’s what happened as he was forced to face court again.

A man who spent three months as one of NSW’s most wanted fugitives has been forced to face court again after allegedly almost succeeding in an elaborate escape plan.

Mark Horne’s time on the run ended in sensationalist fashion as he was caught hiding in the hull of a yacht allegedly bound for east Asia on January 26.

The 32-year-old was found beneath fuel and pipes, with police claiming he was planning to leave the Darwin port later that day.

Horne had initially been granted bail after he was arrested over robbery and assault charges, following the alleged shooting of a truck driver.

Mark Horne was wanted for breach of bail. Picture: supplied by NSW Police

But police allege he cut off his electronic monitoring device and fled.

After being extradited back to Australia, Horne faced Parramatta District Court for a detention application on Tuesday.

Bail was not opposed by his lawyer, Hisham Karnib.

Horne was found inside a yacht in the Northern Territory. Picture: supplied by NSW Police

Judge Chris Craigie SC said to crown prosecutor Edwina Kwong: “I take it the main bail concern is the likelihood of flight,” to which Ms Kwong responded: “Correct, and the fail to appear”.

Judge Craigie said the crown’s case shows Karnib’s “determination to put himself at least temporarily beyond law enforcement, in this case nullifying (bail) measures … including the quite severe one being his electronic device”.

The former fugitive bowed his head as he was taken through Sydney Airport. Picture: supplied by NSW Police

He said the circumstances in which Horne was found and arrested in the NT show his “strong disposition to flight,” not just from a state or territory but the country.

“It is plain that there is a strongly unacceptable risk that if permitted to be at liberty again in the community, the respondent would abuse that liberty and would be most unlikely to attend any further processes of this or any other court,” Judge Craigie said.

“With the egregious nature of the alleged breach of the previous condition of liberty, I can concede of no practical measures that would alleviate the situation to change the risk from one that remains totally unacceptable one”.

Horne is charged with robbery in company causing wounding, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime and take person in company with intent to commit a serious indictable offence.

He will next face Parramatta District Court on February 10 for arraignment.