Tahi Kedwell charged after man’s hand cut off in South Grafton

A court has heard a teen arrested after a 59-year-old man’s left hand was severed during an alleged assault on the Coffs Coast is “inherently unwell” and under observation round the clock.

A man has been arrested in South Grafton and charged after a man’s hand was cut off on Wednesday in Coffs Harbour.

A court has heard that a young man facing charges related to an aggravated break and enter and assault after a man’s hand was cut off was “too intoxicated” to consent to a forensic procedure at the time of his arrest.

Tahi Kedwell, 18, was charged with multiple offences after a 59-year-old man’s hand was cut off during an alleged assault, sparking a police manhunt.

Defence lawyer Anne-Alece Johnstone told the court Kedwell is currently “inherently unwell”, suffering an infection, and under “round the clock” observation.

The court heard Kedwell was not in a position to consent to a forensic procedure sought by police or apply for bail.

Magistrate Julia Virgo told the Coffs Harbour Local Court that she must make the application for an interim forensic order so that potential evidence would not be lost.

Toormina Pl, Coffs Harbour where a 59-year-old man had his left hand cut off.

Unless those orders are made, the samples of the sort taken would likely perish,” she said.

After the alleged assault on the 59-year-old man, Coffs-Clarence Police District pursued a vehicle without registration plates during a routine patrol about 9.45pm on Wednesday.

Toormina Pl, Coffs Harbour.

The vehicle allegedly became bogged during the pursuit on a sports field before police arrested Kedwell.

He was charged at Grafton Police Station with special aggravated break and enter to commit a serious indictable offence, causing grievous bodily harm with intent, a police pursuit, prohibited drug possession, driving unlicensed and not displaying registration plates.

Police are still looking for a second man allegedly present during incident involving the 59-year-old man.

The incident unfolded at a property at Toormina Place, Coffs Harbour, just before 7am on Wednesday.

Coffs Harbour courthouse

Police attended to find a man’s hand was severed after two men had “forced their way into the unit”.

“NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the 59-year-old man at the scene before he was flown to John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition,” a NSW Police statement read.

Upon arriving at the scene officers found two women, aged 58 and 80, also at the premises who were uninjured.

Officers were told two men, one known to the alleged victim, had allegedly assaulted him before police attended.

“They left before police arrived,” the NSW Police statement continued.

Kedwell is due back in court on April 29 when he have an opportunity to apply for bail.

Police are urging anyone with information to contact the Coffs Harbour Police Station or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Originally published as Tahi Kedwell charged after man’s hand cut off in South Grafton