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Eliah John Bligh and Denzel Morris Neville Hinch each charged with attempted murder arising from alleged Rockville home invasion

The pair, aged 18 and 19, are accused of striking a 68-year-old Rockville man with a tomahawk during alleged home invasion.

‘We know who you are’: Police continue manhunt after horror attack

Two teenage men accused of the violent robbery of a man in his Rockville home while armed with a tomahawk have had their respective cases returned to Toowoomba Magistrates Court.

Eliah John Bligh, 18, and Denzel Morris Neville Hinch, 19, have been held in custody since their arrest in November 2023 and were not required to be in court when their matters were mentioned on Tuesday, January 23.

Each have been charged with attempted murder, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, attempted enter dwelling and commit indictable offence and entering a dwelling with intent, arising from the October 18, 2023, incident as well as other unrelated matters.

Police claim the pair went to a Trousdell St, Rockville, home about 6am that day and confronted the 68-year-old occupant.

Denzel Morris Neville Hinch and Eliah John Bligh are each charged with attempted murder.
Denzel Morris Neville Hinch and Eliah John Bligh are each charged with attempted murder.

It is alleged an altercation ensued between the parties during which the 68-year-old man was struck to the chest with a tomahawk before the accused pair fled the scene.

The injured man was transported by ambulance to Toowoomba Hospital where he was treated before being released.

The incident sparked a police manhunt for the duo which came to a head on Monday, November 7, when it was alleged the pair had opened the door of a vehicle parked on Goombungee Rd, Harlaxton, and threatened the man in the driver’s seat.

The man managed to flee by driving away from the incident but moments later it was alleged a man and woman were changing a tyre to a vehicle on Goombungee Rd, Harlaxton, when an alleged stolen Hyundai Veloster containing Mr Hinch and Mr Bligh pulled alongside.

Police at the scene of an alleged tomahawk attack at the Rockville residence in the early morning of October 18, 2023.
Police at the scene of an alleged tomahawk attack at the Rockville residence in the early morning of October 18, 2023.

Police claim the duo got out of that car and threatened the man and woman with a meat cleaver, knife and an axe, demanding the keys to their car but the pair refused and the accused men left in the car they were driving.

Later that day around 12.30pm, Mr Hinch is accused of breaking into a Hill St address in Toowoomba City and stealing personal items during which time a 46-year-old man at the home was assaulted with a piece of timber.

The fugitive pair was arrested later that day and taken into custody on a series of charges.

Legal Aid Queensland solicitor Phil Stainton, for Mr Bligh, told the court on Tuesday that his office had only just come into the matter and had received the police brief of evidence but there was more material outstanding.

McConnell and Saldumbide Lawyers solicitor Callum Wood, for Mr Hinch, similarly told the court his firm had just been engaged and were yet to pick up the brief of evidence and sought an adjournment so they could go through the material.

Magistrate Clare Kelly therefore remanded both accused men in custody and adjourned their respective case for committal mention back in the same court on February 20.

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-toowoomba/eliah-john-bligh-and-denzel-morris-neville-hinch-each-charged-with-attempted-murder-arising-from-alleged-rockville-home-invasion/news-story/8a5ad81d212fae5e1232901db0d7a8a8