NSW: Soldier accused helping sell rocket launchers out on bail

AAP General News (Australia)
12-20-2007
NSW: Soldier accused helping sell rocket launchers out on bail

SYDNEY, Dec 20 AAP - A former soldier accused of playing a role in the sale of stolen
army rocket launchers has been released on bail by a Sydney court.

Justice Ian Harrison, in the NSW Supreme Court, today ruled that Dean Steven Taylor,
39, of Mount Annan in Sydney, did not pose a threat to a key witness, named only as Mr
Harrington.

"The evidence against the applicant is likely to consist of that of Mr Harrington ...

(who) will give evidence he was the person to whom the items were delivered," Justice
Harrison said today.

"In my opinion I am ... satisfied that he does not pose a threat to the community at
large or to Mr Harrington."

This was despite a transcript of a secretly recorded conversation tendered to the court
in which Taylor appeared to state he would "nail" anyone who contacted authorities.

Justice Harrison said this was only "one reading" of the conversation and he said Taylor
would be implicated immediately if any foul play were to meet Mr Harrington.

Taylor's partner also offered a $30,000 surety to be forfeited if he breached his bail
conditions.

Taylor's bail application followed his committal to stand trial on April 7 for his
role in the distribution of 10 rocket launchers, stolen from the Australian Defence Force
in 2002.

Taylor, a former infantry corporal, allegedly received two rocket launchers, two rockets
and five hand grenades from his former brother-in-law, army captain Shane Della-Vedova.

Della-Vedova is accused of stealing the weapons during his time as an armaments destruction
specialist in the army.

Both men allegedly conspired with the man known as Mr Harrington to on-sell the weapons
to criminals for up to $12,000 each.

Mr Harrington knew the soldiers through Taylor's wife, and turned informant on the
scam earlier this year, wearing a wire to a meeting with the pair in March.

AAP dr/bd/was/sp

KEYWORD: TAYLOR

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