A YOUNG Orange man with a court history of firearms offences was released from jail on Monday, after the Director of Public Prosecutions withdrew a serious break and enter charge.
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Mitchell Norman Barnes, 20, who appeared in court via an audio visual link from Bathurst jail, has been in custody since September 1 last year.
Solicitor representing the Director of Public Prosecutions Michael Fahy, made application to the court to withdraw the charge of aggravated break and enter and committing a serious indictable offence while armed, and magistrate Terry Lucas granted the application.
However the two remaining charges of possessing an unregistered firearm and possession of ammunition without holding a licence proceeded to sentence.
The court ordered the firearm be surrendered, and Barnes was fined $500 on the charge of illegal possession of ammunition.
Legal Aid solicitor Bob Lulham told the court it was the seriousness of the break and enter charge which landed his client in custody last year.
“I believe the crown has had difficulty getting information and so has made this decision,” Mr Lulham said.
Barnes had previously pleaded guilty to the charge of illegally possessing a firearm and the ammunition.
This meant the court had to automatically take this into account applying a reduction in imposing any sentence.
Barnes was released from prison in April last year after being handed a nine-month sentence for shooting at a farmer on his property at Springside near Orange during an illegal kangaroo hunt.
“You will be out today,” Mr Lucas told Barnes.