DION Welsh - once accused of attempted murder over a home invasion shooting at Hamilton that "blew a large hole" in a man's face - has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge on the first day of his trial.
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Welsh, 37, of Woodberry, who is represented by barrister Nicolas Moir and solicitor Ana Qvist, was due to face a trial in Newcastle District Court this week on charges of shoot at with intent to murder, discharge firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, reckless grievous bodily harm in company and specially aggravated enter dwelling with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm.
But instead, after negotiations between the parties on Monday, Welsh was re-arraigned and pleaded guilty to a single count of aggravated enter dwelling with intent to commit a serious indictable offence - intimidation.
Crown prosecutor John Stanhope said the plea was accepted in full satisfaction and there would be no further proceedings on the shoot at with intent to murder charge.
Welsh, gunman Joshua Rae, 30, and another man, who remains unidentified, stormed into a unit in Gordon Avenue at Hamilton about 10.30pm on December 18, 2017.
Then he fired, "blowing a large hole" in the man's face.
The victim had moments earlier grabbed an ornamental samurai sword and swung it at Welsh, cutting his arm and leaving his DNA at the scene.
Before Monday's developments, the DPP had alleged that Welsh had engaged in a joint criminal enterprise with Rae to shoot the victim during the home invasion.
But one of the key issues at Welsh's shoot at with intent to murder trial would have been whether or not he knew Rae had a gun when the three men entered the unit.
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