'I'll sort it out': Drug debt intimidation triggered shooting

Scott Papworth was shot in the stomach, the bullet shattering in his abdomen and nearly claiming his life, during a brutal attack outside his home about 9.40pm on March 9 last year.

And, according to newly released court documents, the confrontation was triggered by a chance meeting and conversation at the Rutherford Hotel earlier that night, when a woman allegedly told Jak Farmer she had been intimidated by Mr Papworth over an unpaid drug debt.

After telling the woman he would "sort it out", detectives allege Mr Farmer drove to Aberglasslyn to confront Mr Papworth.

With him was Dane Simms and a third man who police allege pulled the trigger and shot Mr Papworth.

Mr Farmer knocked on the door and allegedly assaulted Mr Papworth when he came outside before Simms joined in and the pair punched and kicked Mr Papworth while he was on the ground.

Mr Papworth managed to break free and was attempting to flee back inside when the third man approached from behind a vehicle and pointed a black rifle at Mr Papworth and his partner.

The man then shot Mr Papworth in the stomach and the three men fled in a white Mitsubishi Magna, which was later found on fire in Railway Parade at Telarah.

Mr Papworth was treated at the scene by paramedics before being flown to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.

He spent several weeks in an induced coma undergoing emergency surgery to repair organs damaged by the shattered bullet.

The motivation behind the attack can be revealed after Simms last week pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company and concealing a serious indictable offence after the DPP agreed to withdraw more serious charges, including a charge of shoot at with intent to murder.

He will next appear in Newcastle District Court in May to get a sentence date.

Mr Farmer is facing the same charges but has not entered any pleas and will next appear in Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday.

Lawyers for the two men had long argued the case against them being criminally responsible for the shooting was weak and circumstantial at best.

"There is a complete absence of evidence to suggest Mr Simms was aware that there was a weapon located in the vehicle, let alone that it would be produced and discharged," barrister Tom Hughes said during a failed bid for bail in Newcastle Local Court in January.

Detectives have appealed for information to locate the alleged gunman.

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