AN Albury man’s bid for bail over an alleged home invasion where he brandished a knife was rejected yesterday.
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Chris Romeril appeared in Albury Local Court through a video link from Junee jail on six charges, with the most serious being an aggravated break and enter committing a serious indictable offence in company.
The other charges are assault, two counts of assaulting police, resisting an officer and using offensive language.
Director of Public Prosecutions representative Andrew Hanshaw appeared on the home invasion charge and opposed the granting of bail.
But solicitor Elizabeth Bushby said any concerns about Romeril, 19, could be mitigated by his moving from Albury to Queanbeyan with his father.
“He would agree not to consume alcohol or drugs,” Ms Bushby said.
She said trial dates in Albury were already out to November and Romeril could remain in custody for a long time with his case pending.
Another Albury man, Jake Allan Nichols, 27, has been refused bail over his alleged involvement in the home invasion.
The court was told in tendered facts that the victim, 23, lives in Hibiscus Crescent at West Albury and had known Nichols for about 10 years.
When the victim was sleeping about 7am on December 21, he heard a window in the lounge room open and believed it was his brother coming home.
The man drifted back to sleep before hearing his bedroom door open and opened his eyes to see four men standing at the doorway.
He immediately recognised Nichols, who was standing in the middle of the doorway and was flanked by a man wearing a balaclava and two Aboriginal men.
The victim asked the men what they were doing in the house.
He heard a voice which he recognised as being Romeril and realised he had the balaclava on.
A week earlier the victim had allegedly been assaulted by Romeril after they had an argument.
Romeril raised his left hand, holding a 30-40 centimetre knife to the victim’s neck for a few seconds before removing it.
The tip of the knife was then put on the victim’s right cheekbone.
The intruders stayed at the house for 20 to 30 minutes and put items in a bag before leaving.
“It looks like a strong case to me,” magistrate Margaret Quinn said.
Ms Quinn said Romeril was not helped by his rec- ord, remanded him in custody and adjourned the charges until March 2.