Donald Alexander Rookledge, of Dirtholes Creek Road, Hill End, appeared for the first time in Bathurst Local Court yesterday charged with the possess-ion of firearms and ammunition, failure to keep firearms safe and other related offences.

Rookledge’s arrest followed a raid on a Hill End home by firearms and organised crime squad detectives, with assistance from Chifley local area command, on the morning of Wednesday, September 7.

Police allege their search revealed a cache of unregistered firearms, including a single-shot 12 gauge shotgun, a loaded .32 calibre revolver, an AR7 shortened semi automatic .22 calibre rifle with silencer, a loaded .45 calibre self-loading pistol, a .22 calibre semi automatic rifle with silencer and a large amount of ammunition.

Mr Rookledge appeared before magistrate Michael Allen yesterday charged with two counts of possessing an unregistered firearm (pistol), two counts of possessing an unauthorised firearm (pistol), one count of possessing a shortened firearm (not a pistol), two counts of possessing an unregistered firearm (prohibited firearm), two counts of not keeping a firearm safely (prohibited firearm), and one count each of not keeping a firearm safely (pistol), possessing a barrel for a firearm (unless authorised by licence), possessing or using a prohibited weapon without a permit, and possessing ammunition without holding a licence/permit/ authority.

He was represented by solicitor Peter Ringbauer.

The matter has been adjourned to November 21 with bail to continue.