Weeks, Snow denied bail over alleged Griffith shooting

Kurtis Weeks, 31, has been denied bail after being charged following the alleged shooting of a man at a Griffith home on Saturday (16 March), despite a plea that he remain on strict bail conditions to look after his partner and newborn baby.

Daniel Snow, who was also charged in relation to his alleged involvement in the alleged home invasion, was also denied bail despite assurances that he would be supervised and live with his mother.

Both hearings took place at Griffith Local Court today (20 March).

Brett Sutcliffe, 44, presented to Griffith Base Hospital with an alleged gunshot wound to his leg after emergency services responded to reports that he had allegedly been shot at his home on Carrathool Street at 11:15 pm on Saturday.

Griffith police were told that three males allegedly forced entry into the premises, before the man was allegedly shot in the left leg.

The court was told Brett Sutcliffe’s 15-year-old daughter was in the house with him at the time, along with a second male resident of the home, who was also allegedly threatened with a firearm but not injured.

Two of the men alleged to be involved in the incident, Mr Weeks and Mr Snow, faced Griffith Local Court today, appearing in separate hearings via video links from Junee jail. Both men have been charged with discharging a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Region understands that the third man allegedly involved in the incident has not been apprehended and that police investigations are continuing.

Bail for Mr Weeks was refused at a hearing on Monday, but he fronted a second hearing today.

Olivia Harris, lawyer for Mr Weeks, told the court that Mr Weeks’ partner had given birth to their child on 10 February and that she had surgery after the birth, requiring Mr Weeks to care for her and the baby.

“She can’t even lift her newborn,” Ms Harris said.

Magistrate Trevor Khan said he was “sympathetic” to this situation but decided to again refuse bail, telling the court that Mr Weeks was already on strict bail conditions for other alleged offences.

The police prosecutor Sergeant Fraser opposed the granting of bail, given the seriousness of the alleged offence and because a strong case was being mounted by police that would “only get stronger once forensic evidence comes back”.

“[The case for bail] didn’t get past first base,” Magistrate Khan concluded.

Ms Harris also represented the co-accused Daniel Snow, arguing Mr Snow would live with his mother who would supervise him at all times if placed under strict bail conditions.

The magistrate also denied bail for Mr Snow, noting he too was already on bail for other alleged offences, including a break and enter, and he had breached his bail conditions.

“I can’t be satisfied that strict bail conditions will be enough,” Magistrate Khan said.

Both Mr Weeks and Mr Snow will remain in Junee jail and appear again before Griffith Local Court on 23 May.

Police say there is no ongoing risk to the community.

Police are urging anyone with information about the matter – or who may have been in the vicinity at the time with any available dashcam/mobile phone footage – to contact Griffith Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.