NSW: Man had threatened police months bfore shooting court

AAP General News (Australia)
08-28-2000
NSW: Man had threatened police months bfore shooting court

WOLLONGONG, NSW, Aug 28 AAP - A 40-year-old man threatened to shoot police ten months
before he fired 60 rounds into a police vehicle, a court was told today.

Gary George Denford faces a number of charges over an 18-hour siege south of Wollongong
last week, including two charges of attempting to murder two police officers.

In opposing bail, prosecutor Sargent Terry Wall told the court that police attended
a minor domestic dispute at Denford's Dapto home in October last year.

It is alleged Denford told police then: "Don't worry, boys, this is nothing, when I
go I'll be taking plenty of others with me."

It is also claimed he said: "You blokes would not have a chance. I'm a B grade shooter,
I've got 500 rounds in the cupboard and three pistols in the safe."

Wollongong Local Court has been told the two officers involved in last week's siege
have not returned to duty.

"One does not know when they will return to work or if they ever will," Sgt Wall said.

The court was told the officers had taken cover behind a police vehicle and remained
there for three hours until it was safe to leave.

A facts sheet tendered to the court shows both man have received medical treatment
for stress and anxiety.

Denford, who gave himself up to police negotiators last Friday afternoon, has not yet
entered a plea.

He has been refused bail and will appear in court again next month.

AAP str/ah/it

KEYWORD: DENFORD

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