A man has been charged following a home invasion in the Coffs Clarence region over the weekend.
Around 7:20pm on Saturday, emergency services responded to reports of an altercation at a home on Margaret Crescent in South Grafton.
A man allegedly armed with a knife and a chain attempted to force entry into the house, threatening the occupants.
Police say a 64-year-old male occupant armed himself with a firearm and confronted the intruder, before firing a shot into the ground.
Officers subsequently seized the weapon.
A 43-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to hospital under police guard. At the hospital, he allegedly assaulted a police officer performing guard duties.
He was later charged with a number of offences including aggravated break and enter with intent to commit a serious indictable offence, and assaulting police.
Why would the police want to charge the occupant? I assume the firearm pre home invasion was locked away or out being cleaned. It is not illegal to have ammunition out while working on firearm. The occupant I assume heard someone attempting to break in?? 7:20 it was dark, the 64 year old would have felt in fear of his life, loaded his rifle and called police. So far the owner has broken no law. The intruder was attempting to force entry, the owner confronts him, the owner see knife, chain is more in fear of his life, police not yet on scene. The owner confronts intruder, I assume they are not know to each other? Why discharge firearm into ground? Stupid, residential area. However police arrive confiscate firearm. Charge, discharging firearm in public area, street, possible. Why not as occupant retreat with back to wall, if intruder comes near occupant who is in fear of his life, shoots. If not in fear of his life does not shoot, intruder sees firearm leaves and Is caught by police.
It was bound to happen. A person should be allowed to defend his home and/or family. It must be a frightening experience. Why is it that the criminal should have the advantage over the rest of us? I think that it’s time that the state and federal governments gave some right of self protection to the people
Give the man a medal