Charlie Hills, 29, was granted bail on Friday, July 31, 2026, at the Launceston Magistrates Court by Justice Robert Pearce. Hills is accused of assaulting a 76-year-old man, Grant Whelan, alongside two other men in the early hours of Saturday, July 11, at Whelan's property in Coles Bay on Tasmania's east coast.

During the incident, Whelan was allegedly tied up with cable ties at around 5 a.m., 15 firearms and a ute were stolen, and his house was set on fire and burnt to the ground. Hills was arrested within a week of the attack along with Jason Burns, 33, and Hayden Morrison, 31, both from the Launceston area.

Burns and Morrison face charges including attempted aggravated burglary, aggravated burglary, aggravated armed robbery, aggravated assault, arson, and motor vehicle stealing. Whelan was hospitalized at the Royal Hobart Hospital and released on July 16 after six days.

The Tasmanian community has shown strong support for Whelan, raising over $100,000 through an online fundraiser and organizing volunteer efforts to clean up the remains of his home.

Detective Inspector David Gill emphasized the ongoing concern about illegal firearms, stating, "Illegal firearms in the community pose a serious threat to public safety, and we remain determined, not just as part of this investigation … to locate and seize unlawful firearms."