A Darwin-based soldier will be allowed to return to his home state of New South Wales while facing robbery, aggravated assault and deprivation of liberty charges in the Northern Territory.
Reece Humbles, 29, was today granted bail in the Darwin Local Court after his first appearance in custody on Tuesday.
The court heard the alleged victim was a female fellow member of the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
On Tuesday, Judge Steven Ledek told Mr Humbles the charges against him were “significant” and he would need to pay a $10,000 bond before bail could be granted.
The court granted Reece Humbles bail to travel back to New South Wales. (ABC News: Michael Donnelly)
Defence lawyer Samantha Marshall said the 29-year-old had no criminal history and intended to contest the charges.
Today, the court heard Mr Humbles’s family would pay the bond and organise his travel to the NSW Central Coast.
He will be required to return to the NT for further hearings.
Status of ADF role unclear
Judge Ledek tasked Mr Humbles’s superiors with ensuring he had no contact with the alleged victim while he moved out of his Darwin barracks and travelled to NSW.
Ms Marshall told the court on Tuesday there would be “a level of supervision of Mr Humbles in respect of being able to return for the purposes of accessing his belongings”.
And before granting bail today, Judge Ledek said if the alleged victim “receives one word from him” she should report it to her superiors and bail would be revoked.
Ms Marshall said she could not provide details of Mr Humbles’s current status within the ADF, but he would be supervised by an officer who was present in the court for the duration of the proceedings.
“What happens with his employment is not a matter that can be ascertained at this stage,” she said.
The case is next listed for a directions hearing in June.