DNA Evidence Pivotal in Alleged Wallsend Home Invasion Case
In a significant development, one of the men accused of a violent home invasion in Wallsend, where a pregnant woman was allegedly threatened with a machete, has been granted bail by the NSW Supreme Court. Justice Peter Hamill emphasised that DNA evidence recovered from a balaclava and glove will play a crucial role in determining the involvement of the 25-year-old defendant at the crime scene.
Details of the Alleged Incident
The court heard that on August 14, two men arrived at a unit on McNaughton Avenue in Wallsend around 12.40am. According to police, the pair initially attempted to talk their way inside before forcibly entering the premises. It is alleged that one man, identified as Hyrum Pulotu, was armed with a machete, while the other, Christopher Campton, wore a black balaclava to conceal his face.
The intruders were reportedly searching for the 21-year-old woman's partner. During the incident, they allegedly assaulted the woman and issued death threats against both occupants. The victim required medical attention from paramedics and was subsequently transported to John Hunter Hospital for treatment.
Justice Hamill's Observations on the Case
Justice Hamill described the home invasion as "extremely troubling" and characterised by "significant violence". He noted that, based on the prosecution's case, Pulotu appeared to be the "main offender", responsible for the majority of the violence and threats delivered during the ordeal.
However, the identification of Campton as the second assailant presented challenges. Initial DNA examinations of the unit failed to produce any swabs matching Campton. A breakthrough occurred a week after the break-in when the alleged victim discovered a balaclava and glove at the scene. Subsequent forensic tests on these items allegedly linked Campton to the crime, leading to his arrest at Campbelltown railway station the following day.
Legal Proceedings and Bail Conditions
Campton, from Ambarvale in south-western Sydney, was arrested in August last year and has spent the past five months in custody. He faced charges including:
- Aggravated break and enter
- Assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company
- Demand property by force in company
- Destroying property in company using fire
Pulotu was charged with the same offences, with additional counts of choking a person with intent to commit an indictable offence and using a prohibited weapon. Neither man has entered a plea, and both are scheduled to appear in Newcastle Local Court on February 18, where prosecutors are expected to finalise the charges.
During Friday's bail application, Campton's lawyer argued that delays in securing a trial date in Newcastle District Court, combined with strict conditions, warranted his release. Justice Hamill acknowledged bail concerns but determined they could be mitigated through specific measures, including:
- A curfew requiring Campton to remain at his designated address during specified hours
- Regular reporting to police
- A condition that he reside in south-western Sydney
- A prohibition on entering within 100 kilometres of Newcastle
The case highlights the increasing reliance on forensic evidence in criminal proceedings, particularly DNA analysis, which continues to play a vital role in both prosecuting and defending serious allegations in the Australian justice system.
