One bailed; the other in custody

TWO men charged with attempted armed robbery arising from an incident at the Highfields Tavern at the weekend have had different outcomes after appearing in Toowoomba Magistrates Court.

Police claim Highfields man Shane Kenneth Nash had hidden in the ceiling of the tavern after going to the toilet in the early hours of Sunday.

It is alleged when the tavern closed at 4am, Nash, 31, had exited the toilet and unlocked the door so co-accused Nicolaus Alexander Blyton, 26, of Mt Lofty, could enter.

Police claim Blyton was armed with a metal bar which police claim was later found in a fire at the rear of a Highfields residence, believed to be that of Nash’s, when police attended.

A Mazda sedan similar to one police believe was driven away from the tavern at the relevant time with the number plates disguised was found in the yard at the Highfields residence.

Objecting to bail, police prosecutor Senior Constable Leea Trewin said CCTV camera footage from the tavern showed Blyton and a woman leaving the tavern but not Nash who police claim was hiding in the ceiling at that point.

It is alleged the bar manager was in the cash room when the alleged attempted armed robbery occurred.

She had seen two men in the tavern after closing time, she said.

Snr Const. Trewin submitted the Crown case, though circumstantial, was a very strong case.

Solicitor John Davis, for Nash, said the evidence against his client seemed to come from the tavern’s CCTV footage yet he submitted it wasn’t known if anyone had gone through the complete four hours of footage and said his client may have been filmed leaving the tavern but that footage hadn’t been viewed as yet.

Magistrate Kay Ryan granted Blyton bail with strict conditions including reporting to police three times a week, submitting to random drug testing by police and to putting up a $5000 surety.

Nash’s girlfriend was seen handing Mr Davis a number of hand written notes during his bail application hearing.

However, Ms Ryan refused bail to Nash, citing a strong crown case and saying “It would appear there was some planning” (to the attempted armed robbery).

Nash was remanded in custody with the case against both men adjourned for committal mention before the same court on November 20.