Former councillor escapes jail time

Former Kiama councillor Brendon Comber has dodged jail time after pleading guilty in March to a number of offenses, including using a firearm for intimidation.

Mr Comber will instead serve a community corrections order for the next two years, and will have to adhere to a good behaviour bond during that time, as well as continue therapy to treat his ongoing mental illness.

The former councillor was charged in February 2022 after an incident involving the repossession of a truck Mr Comber was buying via hire purchase was taken from his home without his consent.

The truck stored close to half-a-million dollars worth of music and sound equipment, which was taken along with the truck when Mr Comber failed to pay the final $2000 payment for the truck.

Once he found out his home had been broken into in order to repossess the vehicle, Mr Comber grabbed his .22 calibre rifle, which he was permitted to own, and placed it in his car, along with his wife and young children to find the truck.

While the rifle was loaded with a magazine, there was no actual ammunition inside it.

When the truck was locat- ed in Gwynneville, Mr Comber blocked the vehicle at an intersection in an attempt to retrieve it.

The parties moved to a side-street, during which time the driver called the local police to intervene.

A major point of contention during the proceedings was whether Mr Comber ever pointed his weapon at someone, however, all parties agreed that the rifle was never pointed at another person, and was instead left in a bag on the passenger seat as a form of intimidation.

Mr Comber was initially charged with using an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offense, but that charge was eventually dropped before sentencing.

The judge accepted that while Mr Comber had been suffering from ongoing anxiety and other mental illnesses at the time, it was no excuse to permit “vigilante behaviour”.

In handing out her sentence, the judge stated that Mr Comber could have faced the possibility of prison time, but given his lack of any previous criminal record and commitment to improving his mental health, there was “no way I would think about sending him [to prison]”.

by Brendon Foye

People wanting to make a contribution to the LGA have until 4 June to apply to sit on one of Council’s new advisory committees – the Infrastructure and Liveability Advisory Committee and the Sustainable Communities Advisory Committee.

“These committees bring together councillors, key staff, representatives of community groups, government agencies and specialist advisers,” says Mayor Neil Reilly.

Three positions are available on each committee.

The roles are voluntary and nominees must be available for at least one meeting every two months for two years or more. They do not need to have technical expertise, as that can be brought in when needed, but do need to have strong community connections.

“I strongly urge everyone who can contribute their time, skills and experience to consider throwing their hat in the ring,” says the Mayor.

“We need a committee system that not only drives our community’s shared vision for the future but is representative of our community as well.”

For further details and to apply visit the News page on the Council website.

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