BORDER closures have not just cancelled holidays, they've brought parts of the court system to a grinding halt.
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A man believed to be involved in Tamworth's notorious 'ice castle', Peter Trompa, was previously granted bail to live in Victoria and is unable to travel back to court in NSW due to COVID-19 strict travel restrictions.
Trompa is living in the heart of Melbourne, defence solicitor Fiona Simpson told Tamworth Local Court Magistrate Julie Soars on Wednesday.
Ms Soars said she could not progress the matter if the prosecution argue a full-time prison sentence is the only appropriate penalty, and the court were to deem that the case.
"It should be adjourned, I can't proceed if the DPP is submitting is crosses the Section 5 threshold," she said.
"I'll have to adjourn it, I think things will change and hopefully with the current trajectory in November or December.
"I'll put it for mention November 11 and we can review the situation then, if the lockdown has eased we can adjourn to the 25th for sentence.
"It would be good to get it finalised this year if possible."
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There was no Victorian suburb listed on Trompa's court documents, the court heard, but his solicitor Ms Simpson said she believed he was located in central Melbourne so would have difficulty travelling to Tamworth for a court appearance.
Trompa faces two charges, conspiracy to commit and offence of supplying a firearm to someone unauthorised to possess it and the supply of more than an indictable quantity of a prohibited drug.
He has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to supply a firearm to someone unauthorised to possess it.
He was granted bail to live in Victoria in August last year.
He was arrested as part of Strike Force Radius, a 10-month investigation by Oxley Police District detectives with the Oxley Target Action Group in one of the biggest sting operations the region has seen.
Trompa is one of a group of about 20 men and women arrested by Strike Force Radius detectives across Tamworth, Sydney, the Central Coast and Dubbo.
Officers raided a Petra Avenue housing commission unit in May.
Police alleged it was used as a base to supply drugs across Tamworth and as far as Victoria.
Trompa's case was adjourned until November 11.
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
