A 27-year-old man has been charged after allegedly hunting illegally on a rural property in northern NSW and then driving directly at landholders awoken during the early morning incident.
NSW Police Rural Crime Prevention Squad officers allege the incident occurred about 2am on Wednesday, February 11, when landholders on Wyuna Road near Gunnedah were woken by a utility that had entered their farm.
Police allege the occupants of the vehicle began hunting on the property without permission.
When the landholders approached the vehicle, the utility allegedly accelerated toward them before swerving away at the last moment.
The vehicle then left the property, reportedly carrying three dead feral pigs.
Vehicle stopped hours later
About 7am the same morning, officers from Oxley Police District Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, together with the Rural Crime Prevention Team, stopped the utility on Wandabah Road at Gunnedah.
Police allege the 27-year-old driver was unable to produce a current NSW driver licence and returned a positive roadside test to cannabis and methylamphetamine.
He was arrested and taken to Gunnedah Police Station for secondary testing, with samples to undergo forensic examination. He was initially released pending further inquiries.
During the stop, police also scanned three dogs on the rear of the utility, allegedly finding only one was registered. Infringement notices were issued.
Rural crime investigators later located the three dead pigs at Milroy.
Charges laid, vehicle seized
Following further inquiries, police arrested the man at a Gunnedah residence on Friday, February 13.
He was charged with:
- enter private land to hunt animal without owner consent
- drive motor vehicle menaces another with intent
- never licensed person drive vehicle on road
- littering dangerous materials in/on public place
Police have seized the man’s Holden utility and applied to the court for the vehicle to be forfeited to the Crown.
The man was granted conditional bail to appear before Gunnedah Local Court on April 7. Investigations are continuing.
Police urge farmers to report incidents
The NSW Police Rural Crime Prevention Team urged landholders to report illegal hunting and trespassing promptly.
Police said timely reporting of rural crime assists investigators to achieve positive outcomes.
Farmers are encouraged to contact local police or call Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Information about rural crime can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Source: NSW Police Rural Crime Prevention Team