A man accused of carrying out a shooting in a Wollongong apartment block stairwell in March left his DNA on the gun's trigger, a court has heard.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Matthew McGarrigle, 21, and Benjamin Pratt, 35, stand accused of chasing the alleged victim into the stairwell of the Market Street unit complex on the evening of March 24 and demanding he let them into one of the homes.
It is alleged McGarrigle was armed with a shortened .22 calibre firearm and Pratt with a hammer during the incident, which police will allege was partly captured on a surveillance camera fitted into the unit's doorbell.
McGarrigle allegedly used the firearm to knock the doorbell from the wall before he and Pratt allegedly gained entry to the unit.
Police said there was a short struggle between the two men and the victim before McGarrigle allegedly pointed the gun at the victim's lower legs and fired a shot, hitting the man in the left knee.
McGarrigle and Pratt allegedly ran from the scene and fled in a black Holden Vectra.
The victim was subsequently taken to hospital and underwent surgery.
McGarrigle was arrested in June, charged with discharging a firearm with intent and break and enter offences and remanded in custody.
Police issued a public call for help in late August to identify the second person involved, resulting in officers arresting Pratt on Sunday.
He too has been charged with firearm and break-and-enter offences.
Meanwhile, details of the allegations against the two men were revealed in Wollongong Local Court on Wednesday as Pratt sought release on bail.
Court documents said police allegedly discovered the gun used in the crime during a raid on a Dapto house in May.
It was seized, forensically examined and allegedly proved a positive match to the weapon used in the stairwell shooting.
Further testing allegedly discovered McGarrigle's DNA on the gun's magazine and the trigger.
Meanwhile, police will allege Pratt's fingerprint was found on the inside of the Vectra seen driving from the scene.
In court on Wednesday, Pratt's lawyer, Ben Hart, said the case against his client appeared to be based largely on CCTV footage that captured certain clothing Pratt was seen wearing earlier that day.
"He needs to be at liberty to care for his wife and children and prepare his case," he said.
"This will be a matter that will literally take years before it comes to trial."
He said Pratt would agree to house arrest style bail conditions, while his wife could put up a $3,000 bail surety.
However, Magistrate Robert Walker refused to release Pratt, noting he had a lengthy criminal record and the case against him appeared to be a strong one.
"They're extremely serious allegations...he's clearly facing a very lengthy full time custodial penalty if convicted," he said.
The case was adjourned to November 18.
