Man charged with sexual assault, firearm, and drug-related offences north west of Taree

Friday, 25 July 2025 08:14:42 AM

A man has been charged with alleged sexual assault, firearm and drug-related offences during a search warrant north west of Taree yesterday.

Officers from Manning/Great Lakes Police District commenced investigations following a report a 44-year-old woman was allegedly sexually assaulted in Cooplacurripa – about 82km north west of Taree.

Following ongoing investigations, about 6.30am yesterday (Thursday 24 July 2025) local detectives with the assistance of the Tactical Operations Unit, Tactical Operations Regional Support, Police Negotiators, Dog Unit, and Police Rescue, executed a search warrant at a home on Enfield Range Road.

During the search, police allegedly located and seized a .32 five shot revolver, additional .32 rounds, .22 rounds, a 12-gauge shotgun shells, cannabis leaf, a butterfly knife, sling shot, and homemade nunchaku.

A 55-year-old man was arrested at the home and taken to Taree Police Station, where he was charged with twelve offences, including stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (personal), two counts of aggravated sex assault-victim with cognitive impairment, possess unauthorised pistol, not keep firearm safe, three counts of possess prohibited weapon, and possess and supply (deemed) prohibited drug.

He was refused bail and will appear before Bail Division Court 1 today (Friday 25 July 2025).

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