Man Vows To Fight `false' Accusations
Newcastle Herald
Tuesday August 3, 1999
A MAITLAND man charged after a Metford woman allegedly falsely accused him of trying to shoot her planned to take action for damage to his reputation, a court has heard.
Lawn-mowing contractor Robbie Bruce Dalziel, 24, of Portland St, appeared at Maitland Local Court yesterday on charges of shooting a firearm with intent to murder, shooting a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, detaining the woman for advantage and assault.
The court heard police were unlikely to proceed on charges relating to the use of the firearm after the alleged victim, 25-year-old Metford woman Kylee Anne Michelmore, retracted much of her allegations on Sunday.
Police say Ms Michelmore alleged she was hitchhiking on the New England Highway when she was picked up and assaulted by a man who fired a sawn-off shotgun at her as she jumped from his moving vehicle.
The police mounted a major operation at a Greta address using heavily armed Sydney State Protection Group and Hunter Valley State Support Unit officers.
Roadblocks were set up and negotiators contacted Mr Dalziel by telephone asking him to surrender to police.
He was arrested and taken to Maitland police station where he was interviewed, charged and refused bail.
Mr Dalziel was then granted conditional bail when he appeared at a specially convened bail hearing at Maitland Local Court on Sunday afternoon.
Magistrate Richard Wakely adjourned the matter to Maitland Local Court on September 13 for a brief of evidence to be served.
© 1999 Newcastle Herald
