At 4.50pm on Friday, July 13, 2018, Duncan was stopped by police in Derby Street Walcha for a random drug test, which produced a positive result, and he was taken to Tamworth Police Station where he tested positive to cannabis. Duncan was given a conditional release order without a conviction recorded for 18 months.

Magistrate Richardson also sentenced 49-year-old Francis John Coulter of Walcha in relation to a charge of malicious damage. On the night of  December 3, 2018, Coulter went to a residence in Fitzroy Street, Walcha where he caused extensive damage to the front door, the front door lock and electrical wiring to the light at the front door while entering the premises. At 2am on December 4, the resident of the house returned to find Coulter inside and contacted the police who attended and subsequently charged Coulter. In Walcha Court, he was ordered to pay compensation of $1678 and given a community correction order and supervision order for 12 months.

Walcha experienced a spate of break-and-enters over the holiday period.  

A business was broken into between December 23 and 24; the Walcha Pool was broken into between December 27 and 28, then the Walcha Ex-Services Club was broken into on the morning of December 31.