UPDATE: The sentencing of Brock Wadwell, a Tamworth man facing serious firearm offences, has been abruptly delayed following new charges stemming from a high-speed police chase on January 19, 2023. Wadwell was scheduled to appear in Tamworth Local Court today for two counts of possessing an unauthorised firearm and related charges, but these proceedings have been postponed due to the emergence of additional allegations.
Wadwell had initially pleaded not guilty to the firearm charges involving two stolen rifles; however, he changed his plea to guilty. His legal representative, Jonathon Ricks from the Aboriginal Legal Service, informed the court that Wadwell now faces new charges including police pursuit while driving at speed, being unlicensed, and resisting a police officer. The court has scheduled a new hearing for both the firearm and pursuit charges in March 2023.
The high-speed chase occurred in Vera Street, Tamworth, where police allege Wadwell led officers on a motorbike while unlicensed and refused to identify himself. This incident adds a new layer of complexity to his legal troubles, as magistrate Julie Soars agreed to adjourn the sentencing for the existing firearm offences to align with the new case.
The original firearm charges stem from an incident on Kinarra Street, South Tamworth, where police responded to reports of a firearm discharge after an altercation on August 4, 2022. Although no injuries were reported, officers discovered a BSA Martini .222-calibre rifle and a Remington .224-calibre bolt-action rifle during their search, both of which had been reported stolen from a property in Kootingal in July 2022.
Wadwell has denied any knowledge of the firearms during police questioning, and despite the serious nature of these charges, he remains on bail. The situation is evolving rapidly, and both sets of charges will be revisited in court next month.
As this case develops, it underscores the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces with illegal firearms and public safety. Many in the Tamworth community are closely watching the outcomes, as the implications of these charges could lead to significant penalties for Wadwell.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story unfolds.
