Hayden Coward Faces Multiple Charges Following Police Operation

A man arrested by police following a dramtic police operation, faced Muswellbrook Court yesterday where he was formerly denied bail

The arrest stemmed from investigations into property crime in the Hunter Valley Police District. Officers attended a property on Ridgeland Road, Wybong around 7 am yesterday (Sunday, February 18, 2024), to execute outstanding warrants for the arrest of a 30-year-old man.

Upon police arrival, the individual was observed fleeing from the residence. Local general duties officers, assisted by PolAir, tracked the man after he departed the property, driving through bushland in a utility.

The 30-year-old man was apprehended shortly thereafter and transported to Muswellbrook Police Station. He was charged with six offenses, including take and drive conveyance without the consent of the owner, two counts of police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, drive while license suspended, and drive while disqualified.

Additionally, three outstanding warrants were executed for 27 traffic, property, and hunting offenses.

Upon his court appearance, Hayden Coward pleaded guilty to charges including enter agricultural land with hunting dog – aggravated (11 charges), enter private land to hunt animal without owner consent (12 charges), and police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously – 1st off-T2 (1 charge).

Coward pleaded not guilty to charges of take & drive conveyance without consent of owner-T2 (1 charge), drive while license suspended under s 66 Fines Act – 1st off (1 charge), and police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously – 1st off-T2 (2 charges).

The Singleton man was refused bail and is set appear before the court on april 2nd.