Jackson Watson has shooting charge dropped but still before court on 30 charges

A 26-year-old man accused by police of shooting a man in the street has had a significant change in case, a Toowoomba court has heard.

A 26-year-old Warwick man who police claimed was responsible for a daylight shooting in the town but had to drop the charge when the alleged “victim” refused to make a police statement, has had 30-plus charges mentioned in Toowoomba Magistrates Court.

Jackson Bruce Watson has been held in custody since his arrest in March following a three-week police search for him.

Warwick man Jackson Bruce Watson is facing more than 30 charges.

He was initially charged with grievous bodily harm arising from the alleged shooting of a 37-year-old Warwick man on Wallace Street, Warwick, about 9.20am on February 15.

However, that charge was later withdrawn by police when the alleged victim declined to make a statement to police.

It is believed the alleged victim underwent surgery and had since recovered.

Watson was facing more than 30 unrelated charges, including two counts of arson of motor vehicles allegedly in the Warwick and Leyburn areas.

He also faces two counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, three counts of disqualified driving, 13 counts of unlawfully using motor vehicles, one count of unlawful possession of a weapon and drug related matters.

The 26-year-old hasn’t as yet been required to enter any pleas to those charges.

Solicitor Brad Skuse, of Skuse Graham Lawyers, acting as town agent for Watson’s legal representatives, Bell Dore Lawyers, told the court on Friday there had been ongoing case conferencing between the defence and prosecution and he had been asked to seek an adjournment.

Magistrate Clare Kelly therefore remanded Watson in custody and adjourned all matters for mention back in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on January 20.