Darren Butler may have been an accused murderer on the run from police, but he still needed a place to lay his head for the night.
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The cops, armed with a warrant for Butler's arrest over his alleged involvement in a fuel tanker crash at Albion Park Rail on May 18 that killed Daniel Merrett, had already visited most of his social circle, meaning a friendly pillow for the night was off the cards.
So what better choice than a low-key retreat high in the hills of picturesque Jamberoo?
Butler's alleged movements from the early hours of May 18 to his arrest on May 30 were revealed for the first time in Wollongong Local Court on Wednesday during a bail application for his one-time girlfriend Maddison Day, one of three people accused of helping him avoid capture.
Police will allege Butler stole a black Nissan Navara ute from one of Day's friends on the afternoon of May 20, while she organised a room for him at the secluded Jamberoo Resort that night.
Her actions came just hours after detectives attended her Haywards Bay home, told her of the charge against Butler and warned her against helping him.
Meanwhile, taps on phones belonging to Butler and Day revealed Butler flew into a rage when he found out the Navara's owner had reported the theft to police.
He allegedly had Day make the man sign a letter saying he'd sold the vehicle to Butler.
"Oi Maggie, Maggie, Maggie, listen to me...I need a photo of his licence alright or rego papers saying that he sold it to me," Butler said in the phone conversation.
"Please can you do that right now, get a photo and send it to the number that just rang?"
Day replied: Listen, can I just not make him sign something to say he sold the car to you? I'll go [there] right now."
The vehicle's owner later told police Day had told him the exact words to write.
Meanwhile, Butler and co-accused, Holly Green, fled to Victoria on the afternoon of May 21.
It's unclear when the pair returned to the Illawarra, however Butler was arrested on May 30 after organising to meet his new girlfriend, Holy Powers, at Westfield Figtree so she could give him money.
Police also apprehended Powers and Matthew Ryan, the man who had driven Butler to the rendezvous.
The pair was charged with being accessories after the fact to murder. Day, who was only arrested on July 9, is facing the same charge.
In an bail application on Wednesday, defence lawyer Tony Williamson argued the case against Day was a weak one, hinging on whether prosecutors could firstly prove Butler was guilty of murder, then prove that Day knew Butler had committed murder when she helped him.
"Our position is the lack of strength of the police case against Butler and the lack of case against Ms Day, demonstrating that she knew Butler had committed murder," he said.
"There's nothing in the brief of evidence so far that shows that Ms Day knew that Butler had murdered someone."
Police prosecutor Sergeant Ben Bragger opposed Day's release.
"It's quite clear on the facts that the accused has offered material support to Butler, supplying him with money, locating and sourcing a car for him and booking accommodation," he said.
"She knew he was wanted and gone out of her way to assist him in avoiding police.
"She's put the interests of Butler ahead of the community."
Magistrate Michael Stoddart refused bail, noting Day had breaches of bail on her record.
Meanwhile, Powers, Ryan, Butler and Green all remain behind bars, as does Andrew Russell, who is also facing a charge of murder over the fatal crash.
Their cases will each return to court on August 28.