HIS housing commission unit was dubbed the Tamworth 'ice castle' and now the man who police claim was the ringleader has pleaded guilty.
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Stephen Ross Hanshaw faces a maximum of life behind bars for commercial ice dealing across Tamworth in 2019.
He appeared in Tamworth Local Court via video link from Long Bay Correctional Centre in Sydney where he's been held on dozens of drug dealing and firearms offences.
The case had been plagued by delays in negotiations between the Crown and the defence but now Hanshaw's admitted to some of the allegations against him.
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The court heard after lengthy discussions, "no additional charges have been added", but it would be a committal for sentence on two charges, DPP solicitor Ellen Tiedeman said.
Solicitor Jordan Portokalli confirmed Hanshaw was pleading guilty to supplying greater than a large commercial quantity of methylamphetamine, and unlawfully selling firearms - a charge that carries a maximum of 20 years' imprisonment.
Six other related charges charges including selling a prohibited weapon to a person unauthorised to possess it were also transferred to the district court, along with four other driving while disqualified offences.
The DPP said all other charges against Hanshaw were being withdrawn, following the guilty pleas.
Magistrate Julie Soars committed Hanshaw for sentence to the district court, where a date will be fixed in November.
"I'll mark him as bail not applied for, refused today," Ms Soars said.
"Your matters have been committed for sentence to the district court in accordance with the pleas you've entered."
"Thank you," Hanshaw replied.
Hanshaw has been behind bars since May 2019 after he was charged with more than 50 offences when police stormed his Petra Avenue home in South Tamworth.
It was there they claimed the Tamworth 'ice castle' was based, selling the drug ice and firearms.
Police have maintained Hanshaw was the main target of Strike Force Radius - the operation set-up to bring down a drug ring operating in Tamworth.
More than 30 people have been charged with hundreds of offences as part of the Strike Force Radius drug and firearm sting.
Hanshaw's co-accused wife Rebecca Hanshaw remains before the court after pleading guilty. She was granted bail in the NSW Supreme Court in May.
Several accused remain before the court, but a list of men and women have already been sentenced for drug supply and firearms offences.
Breanna Chillingworth
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
