Four men have been refused bail after being charged over an alleged home invasion and child abduction in the New South Wales Upper Hunter, in a case police say began with a violent early-morning break-in at a Muswellbrook home last month.
NSW Police allege a group of men forced entry to a home on Richmond Street, Muswellbrook, in the early hours of June 6. A male occupant who confronted the intruders was allegedly assaulted and struck over the head with a bottle. Two children, aged four and seven, were allegedly taken from the home before being located nearby a short time later.
Police allege violent break-in before children taken
According to police, the alleged incident unfolded when the occupants of the Richmond Street property were confronted by men who had entered the home. The injured man was treated at Muswellbrook Hospital for facial injuries and concussion.
Police said a 36-year-old man was arrested shortly after the alleged break-in following a foot pursuit. He was taken to Muswellbrook Police Station and charged with special aggravated break and enter and committing a serious indictable offence involving wounding. Bail was refused, and he is due to return to court in August.
The alleged abduction of the two young children became the focus of a continuing investigation by Hunter Valley Police District officers. Police established Strike Force Tope to examine the circumstances of the home invasion, identify others allegedly involved and gather evidence about the movement of the children after they were taken from the property.
Further arrests in Scone and Muswellbrook
On Friday, July 17, police arrested a 33-year-old man on Mount Street in Scone. He was taken to Muswellbrook Police Station and charged with special aggravated break and enter and committing a serious indictable offence involving wounding, as well as taking or detaining a child with intent to remove the child from parental control in a domestic violence context.
Later the same afternoon, two more men, aged 23 and 27, were arrested at Muswellbrook Police Station. Police said the 23-year-old was charged with two offences: special aggravated break and enter and committing a serious indictable offence involving wounding, and taking or detaining a child with intent to remove from parental control in a domestic violence context.
The 27-year-old was charged with special aggravated break and enter and committing a serious indictable offence involving wounding, taking or detaining a child with intent to remove from parental control in a domestic violence context, and contravening a prohibition or restriction in an apprehended violence order.
Court appearances ahead
The three men arrested on Friday appeared in court on Saturday, where they did not apply for bail and it was formally refused. They are expected to reappear in September. The 36-year-old man arrested soon after the alleged incident remains before the courts and is listed to appear again in August.
The charges are allegations and will be tested through the court process. Police have not released further details about the relationship between the accused men and the occupants of the home, but the charging language indicates officers are treating part of the alleged offending as domestic violence related.
The case has drawn attention in the Upper Hunter because of the seriousness of the alleged home invasion and the ages of the children involved. Muswellbrook, a major town in the region, is served by the Hunter Valley Police District, which has been coordinating the investigation since the June incident.
Police have said the children were found nearby shortly after being taken, limiting the time they were allegedly away from the home. The injured occupant’s treatment for concussion and facial injuries, however, underscores the violence alleged during the break-in. As the four accused men prepare for further court appearances, investigators are expected to continue compiling evidence gathered under Strike Force Tope.
The matter remains before the courts.
