THE man allegedly at the centre of a Tamworth crime spree that ended in a fiery crash is set to fight the charges.
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Dennis Bradley Shillingsworth is being held in custody at the Long Bay Hospital wing and appeared via video link in Tamworth Local Court on Wednesday.
Shillingsworth has been in custody since the out-of-control crime spree that ended in a ball of flames in Vera Street eleven months ago, and has not formally entered pleas.
Barrister Jason Curtis also appeared in court via video link and said it was a matter "that is ready to be committed for trial" to Tamworth District Court.
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The court heard Shillingsworth was to be committed for trial on five charges related to the December 18 incident including attempted stealing of a car; assault with intent to take a car; destroying property worth more than $15,000; assaulting police causing actual bodily harm; and attempted assault with intent to take a motor vehicle.
DPP solicitor Max Dixon said four other offences - driving recklessly or furiously, and three counts of resisting police - were related charges and would be transferred to the district court to be dealt with.
"And the balance are to be withdrawn if they haven't already," he said.
Magistrate Mal MacPherson committed Shillingsworth to stand trial on the five charges, and dismissed the offences of assaulting police; attempted carjacking with a person inflicting actual bodily harm; and using an offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention.
Shillingsworth will front court again in mid-December for an arraignment to enter pleas but Mr Curtis also asked for his client to be transferred to Tamworth in custody ahead of his court appearance in the district court.
"The request is for the accused to appear in person [on the next occasion] to enable some instructions to be taken," Mr Curtis said.
Shillingsworth made no application for bail and it was formally refused.
The then 39-year-old is alleged to have attempted to steal a car on December 18 before making his way through Woodward Avenue, Susanne, Edward and Vera Streets.
It's alleged Shillingsworth crashed into a parked car that caught alight before a nearby garage burst into flames.
He was arrested in Vera Street after allegedly struggling with police, and injuring an officer.
Breanna Chillingworth
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
