Local pleads guilty to firearm and intimidation charges

Former Kiama Councillor Brendon Comber, known locally for his work at various music events through R&R Production Services, has pleaded guilty in Wollongong Local Court today to multiple firearms and intimidation charges.

The charges arose in February last year when the owner of a truck Mr Comber was buying via hire purchase repossessed the truck from his home without his consent, after Mr Comber failed to pay the final $2,000 and stopped communications.

The truck held hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of music and sound equipment used in his work.

Upon discovering the truck was missing, Mr Comber grabbed his .22 calibre rifle (loaded with a magazine and empty of ammunition), put it loosely into the trunk of his car and went to find them, with his wife and two children – a two year old and one year old – as passengers.

The owner of the truck’s son was driving the truck, followed closely by the owner in a van, when Mr Comber blocked the vehicles at an intersection in Gwynneville.

Mr Comber removed his rifle from the car and placed it on the passenger seat of the truck when it was agreed they would move to a safer location to discuss the matter more.

In transit, the victim called the police who arrived shortly after and seized the firearm. Originally, Mr Comber was charged with using an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence, but it was withdrawn, with the offender pleading guilty to a lesser charge.

Mr Comber pleaded guilty to using an unauthorised firearm, not keeping a firearm safely and two counts of intimidation.

Mr Comber claimed that unrelated family stress contributed to the incident and the rifle was always in a bag. He will be sentenced on 28 April 2023 after a sentencing assessment report is completed.

by Cassandra Zaucer

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