A MAN has been charged with attempted murder after a horrific shooting in Hamilton last month where a man miraculously survived despite being shot in the face.
Joshua Rae, 30, fronted Port Macquarie Local Court on Saturday after his arrest the day before.
Mr Rae was arrested after allegedly sparking a police pursuit that began in Kempsey about 10am, but was terminated over safety concerns in Jerseyville, 30 kilometres from Kempsey, a short time later.
Police arrested the man about two hours later at a hotel in South West Rocks.
Detectives allegedly seized a number of items including a firearm, laser sight, balaclava, drugs and ammunition.
Mr Rae stands accused of the attempted murder of a man who was shot in the face – allegedly with a shotgun – in a unit on Gordon Avenue in Hamilton on December 18.
As the Newcastle Herald reported at the time, an argument broke out between two men inside the unit shortly after 10.30pm, before one of the men trained the gun on the other and shot him in the face.
The man, 37, was believed to have suffered extensive injuries to at least half his jaw and also lost part of his tongue.
The man’s injuries were described as severe but not life-threatening. He had stabalised in hospital the day after the shooting.
Mr Rae was also charged with police pursuit and various firearms offences.
He will face court again at a later date.
A police investigation into the shooting continues.
