A police officer accused of tying up an elderly man in his home and stealing $100,000 in cash has been released on bail.

The 36-year-old senior police officer, whose name has been suppressed by the court, is one of two men charged after allegedly being taken on felony leave to Lightning Ridge in northwestern NSW earlier this month.

Police allege the officer and the 51-year-old man made the nine-hour journey to the small provincial town, about 780 kilometers away.

The defendant allegedly forced a 78-year-old man into a home, tied him up and threatened him before stealing $100,000 in cash.

Paramedics treated the elderly woman for injuries to her leg and arm at the scene before taking her to Lightning Ridge Hospital.

He has since been discharged.

Both men were arrested last week following a search of two homes in Shell Cove.

They were charged with aggravated burglary and breaking and entering, a felony.

At a bail hearing in Wollongong Local Court on Wednesday, the court heard the alleged crime was pre-planned.

The court was told the officer became aware of the man’s wealth after previously investigating him as a suspect in another matter.

The defendant was serving as a police officer at the time of the alleged crime and had no criminal history.

The court heard he had never appeared in court until today, when he appeared via video link from Nowra Prison.

‘Not a weak case’

Judge Les Mabbutt said the defendant was charged with a “very serious offence” which “used violence”.

“If found guilty, there is the potential for a full-time prison sentence for a period of time,” the judge told the court.

Claire Robinson, of the Office of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), said the case against the senior police officer was strong, with evidence including CCTV of the men traveling to Lightning Ridge and the officers’ fingerprints taken from a hired car.

The court also heard how letter prints found on cable ties used to bind the elderly victim were compared to those found during searches of two properties last week.

“These are still under judicial review,” the judge said.

mental health concerns

The senior police officer spent the weekend in a prison cell alone under 24-hour surveillance due to the risk of self-harm.

In applying for bail, defense lawyer Matt Ward said his client was taking medication for post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.

“These are pre-existing conditions,” Mr Ward told the court.

Judge Mabbutt said he understood the defendant was also dealing with feelings of shame.

“Shame is an integral part of anyone accused of a crime,” he said.

Judge Mabbutt granted the defendant bail with strict conditions prohibiting him from leaving his home unless accompanied by a designated person, not approaching or contacting the victim or any prosecution witnesses, and forfeiting his passport.

Mr Ward, who supported the defendant’s name not being published (NPO), said his client was vulnerable as a police officer and someone suffering from mental health issues.

Judge Mabbutt accepted the NPO but did not agree that references to his employment with the NSW Police should be removed.

The issue will be discussed again at Walgett in December.