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Newcastle Herald
Newcastle Herald
National
Anna Falkenmire

Police system 'outage' leads to bail refusal for alleged robbery getaway driver

A police system "information outage" has contributed to a judge's decision to refuse an alleged armed robbery getaway driver bail.

Tanya Maree McCarroll made a failed bid for release in court on Thursday, July 9, after she was arrested over her alleged involvement in a hold-up the Erringhi Hotel at Clarence Town last month.

The court heard McCarroll was not part of the alleged violence, which left a 52-year-old employee in hospital with a fractured skull, but police allege she was "heavily complicit".

Solicitor Nichole Orr offered strict bail conditions McCarroll could abide by if released, including to live at a Mayfield address.

However, the court heard a statewide "computer information outage affecting NSW Police" at the time of the bail hearing meant the prosecution was not able to run a check on the address.

"Without the benefit of being able to ascertain the usual information that would be obtained in relation to the address, I am not able to assess the risks associated with that proposed address ... and the fellow occupants there," Acting Judge Howard Bell said.

He said he could not therefore assess the efficacy of other proposed conditions like a curfew.

The court heard the prosecution case against 43-year-old McCarroll was strong as the alleged offending was captured on CCTV.

Police said the nature of the injuries the 52-year-old man suffered in the alleged armed robbery were serious.

Ms Orr argued McCarroll had no criminal history and had been involved in a coercive control situation with another man police allege was involved.

Acting Judge Bell said when he looked at all the material before him, he held significant concerns.

"The risks associated with granting bail to this defendant on this occasion are unacceptable and cannot be mitigated by any conditions," he said.

McCarroll wept as she was told she would remain behind bars while police compiled a brief of evidence. The matter will return to Newcastle Local Court in September.

She has not been required to enter a plea to one charge of armed robbery.

Also in the news:

The woman's arrest at Newcastle Police Station on Wednesday, July 8, came after emergency services were called to reports a man had been hurt in an armed robbery about 6am on June 4.

Police at the scene were told two men, one armed with a firearm and the other wielding a baseball bat, assaulted the 52-year-old man at the venue on Grey Street.

The pair allegedly stole cash and fled in the man's vehicle.

CCTV allegedly captured the two men sneaking inside and attacking the staff member while a dog barked at the intruders.

Police allege the woman drove the two people to and from Clarence Town.

Officers moved on a 38-year-old man, Tahi Puru, at Green Hills shopping centre, on July 1 and he is refused bail on an armed robbery charge. It's understood the other man remains on the run.

Police launched Strike Force Damina to piece together what happened. Investigations are continuing.

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