Two children were allegedly abducted from a Muswellbrook home in a violent break and enter where police claim a male resident was punched and kicked to the head and body, and hit over the head with a bottle.
Three men have been charged after Hunter Valley Police District officers were called to a home on Richmond Street about 1.15am on June 6.
Liam Frazer, 23, Robert McNamara, 33, and a 27-year-old man who could not be identified for legal reasons, faced a bail court on Saturday.
None of the men made a bid for bail and it was formally refused, with the judge acknowledging the charges against them were serious and carried a maximum sentence of 25 years' imprisonment.
Police were told a group of four men forced entry to the house before allegedly assaulting the male occupant and taking two children, one aged four and the other aged seven, from the house.
A 36-year-old man was arrested a short time later after officers chased him on foot.
Officers recovered the two children a short distance away from the house.
NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the injured resident at the scene and took him to Muswellbrook Hospital with a suspected facial fracture and concussion.
The man who had been arrested at the scene was taken to Muswellbrook Police Station and charged with special aggravated break and enter and wounding.
He was refused bail and will face Newcastle Local Court on August 5.
After the alleged attack and abduction, Hunter Valley Police District detectives established Strike Force Tope to investigate the incident.
Following inquiries, detectives arrested McNamara at Mount Street, Scone, about 10am on Friday.
The man was taken to Muswellbrook Police Station and charged with special aggravated break and enter, wounding and taking a child with intent to remove them from parental control.
About 3pm on Friday, Frazer and the 27-year-old man were arrested at Muswellbrook Police Station.
Frazer was charged with special aggravated break and enter, wounding and taking a child with intent to remove them from parental control.
The 27-year-old man was charged with the same two offences and an additional charge of contravening an apprehended violence order.
The court heard the Crown has a "reasonably strong case". Frazer, McNamara and the 27-year-old man will face court again in Newcastle on September 9.
Investigations under Strike Force Tope continue.
