Three Men Guilty of Murder in Newcastle Shooting
A Supreme Court jury in Newcastle convicts three men of murdering 57-year-old Anthony Nugent over a fake gun transaction. The fatal shooting occurs at the front door of Nugent’s unit in a Hamilton South apartment complex on September 6, 2022.
Mohamad Raad, Tyrone Tuli, and Mohd Azlan Latham Aznan face murder charges after pleading not guilty. Following a six-week trial and three days of deliberations, the jury rejects their defenses and finds them guilty.
The Fake Gun Deal and Motive
Nugent sells a gel blaster—a toy that fires gel-filled projectiles—posing it as a real firearm. He receives $22,000 from a middleman who collects the item. The buyer soon discovers the deception, sparking a rapid hunt for retribution.
Crown prosecutor Carl Young explains to the jury, “Retribution and payback came quickly because when this trick or scheme was discovered that set in train a series of events.”
Evidence reveals Nugent, a known heroin dealer short on cash, borrows about $2,000 to purchase the gel blaster. Two weeks before his death, photos of the fake “pistol” circulate, leading to the deal.
Joint Criminal Enterprise and Roles
Prosecutors argue the three men form a joint criminal enterprise. Raad serves as the shooter, with Tuli and Latham Aznan present at the scene. The Crown contends the shooting results from a deliberate plan, not an accident.
The defense counters that the group only aims to recover the money. Raad’s barrister, Tony Evers, states, “When the shot was fired, Mr Raad did not intend to cause grievous bodily harm or to kill Mr Nugent.”
Young adds that Nugent “needed some money and was trying to come up with schemes about how to make some money.”
Upcoming Sentencing
The convicted men face sentencing on September 4. The verdict upholds the prosecution’s case that the killing stems directly from the botched fake gun sale.
