The trial of Darrell John Wright, 38, began yesterday, almost five years to the date after the incident occurred.

A jury was sworn in to hear the case, estimated to finish by the end of the month.

Wright pleaded not guilty to an indictment consisting of three charges, each allegedly occurring on November 13, 2004.

The first related to gunshots being fired at the rebels’

clubhouse on Bunglegumbie Road, Dubbo “with reckless disregard for the safety of another person”.

He was further charged with firing a firearm at a dwelling house on Wheelers Lane, allegedly belonging to the president of the clubhouse.

The third charge related to Wright travelling back past the clubhouse and firing more shots with reckless disregard.

Wright has pleaded guilty to another charge of possessing an SKS rifle without being authorised to do so with a license or permit, between December 1, 2004 and January 21, 2005.

The Crown Prosecutor began his opening yesterday before the jury was taken in a minibus to view the areas involved .

He told the jurors there was no dispute that a gun was fired on two occasions at the rebels’ clubhouse and one at a dwelling house on Wheelers Lane on the day in question.

He also said there was no dispute it was an SKS rifle that was used.

What was in dispute, and what the jury would have to decide, was whether the accused pulled the trigger, he said.

The Crown alleged that Wright was drinking and playing pool at the clubhouse before his friend was allegedly assaulted by a Rebel.

He alleged that the accused and the friend then went and had a discussion about “getting back” at the Rebels.

Wright allegedly took the gun and went on his own back to the clubhouse and shot at it, but when he heard there were no reports of it, he went and shot at the house on Wheelers Lane, the Crown alleged.

He further alleged Wright then drove back past the clubhouse and fired more shots at it.

No eyewitnesses saw who shot at either site, the Crown said, but people saw the vehicle and heard the shots.

After the first part of the Crown’s opening, the jury was taken to view a house in Mogriguy, the Rebels’ clubhouse and the house on Wheelers Lane.

Detective Peter Ensor took the group to show them the area and route allegedly taken by

the accused on the night in question.

As the trial continues today, witnesses who were at the clubhouse with the accused before the alleged drive-by shooting occurred will be called to give evidence.