A TAMWORTH man charged in connection to a prison riot that caused more than $130,000 damage has been ordered to front court again next month.
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John Cain Darcy did not appear in Tamworth Local Court on Monday when his case was called after he was excused from attending.
Cain, aged 39, is one of 21 former or current inmates charged after a riot broke out in Cessnock Correctional Centre in late-April.
He was arrested at a Tamworth home on July 3 and initially refused bail by police before being released on bail by the court, after investigations into the emergency that saw the prison put into lockdown.
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Darcy faces charges of riot and destroying or damaging property intending criminal activity of a group, but was not required to enter pleas this week in court.
Similar to his co-accused, the charges have been referred to the DPP to see whether they will be take charge of the prosecution of the matter.
Magistrate Julie Soars ordered police to compile the evidence into the case and serve the brief on the defence before the case returns to court.
Darcy has been ordered to appear in Cessnock Local Court with his co-accused in September.
Ms Soars continued his bail.
The riot unfolded about 11.30am on April 30 in the H Block of Cessnock's Shortland Correctional Centre.
Investigators allege the men threatened unlawful violence against prison officers, and damaged parts of the jail including the ceiling, doors, roof and items inside.
Some inmates allegedly locked themselves in rooms and even climbed onto the roof. Police claim the value of the damage is estimated to be more that $130,000.
After investigations into the incident, which includes CCTV footage, police charged 21 men aged between 22 and 39 in July for offences of rioting, damaging property and participating in a criminal group.
The Newcastle Herald reported the accused rioters, Matthew Duncan, 24; Ian Edwards, 28; Clifford Ingrey, 26; Allan Leonard, 24; Tyson Polyak, 24; Drae Moore, 24; Michael Manton, 29; Anthony Nolan, 26; Bradley Cavanagh, 27; Jack Kerstens, 22; Todd Wayne Burns, 28; Ryan Corby, 28; Dean Taylor, 30; Henry Cutmore, 26; Brandon Miller, 39; Edward Morris, 32; and Christopher Dickson, 30; Ellwyn Walton, 33; remain behind bars in various correctional centres. Shannon Stradwick, 32, was granted bail.
The accused all had their cases adjourned in Cessnock Local Court in July and will return to court in September.
Breanna Chillingworth
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
