Matthew Northcott and Brayden Mudge sentenced for home invasion and assault
Two home invaders left a man with black eyes and a fractured cheekbone after they escalated a scuffle between him and their lovers.
Adelaide Hills & Murraylands
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A duo who escalated a scuffle between their girlfriends and a man over an Akubra hat have been sentenced for their violent attack.
Matthew Andrew Northcott, 29, and Brayden Scott Mudge, 27, left the victim with black eyes and a fractured cheekbone during the vicious home invasion.
During sentencing, the District Court heard Mudge and Northcott attended the Renmark Club with their girlfriends, Ms Mitchell and Ms Doevendans on October 3, 2020.
“Your group was approached by the victim, who began mouthing off, saying derogatory things about Ms Mitchell,” Judge Anthony Allen said during sentencing.
The court heard the two women were upset at the victim’s behaviour and decided to walk to his home, followed by Mudge and Northcott.
“When he (the victim) went to open the door they (the women) barged inside, demanding to know where Mr Mudge’s hat was,” Judge Allen said.
“This stems from Mr Mudge loaning the victim an Akubra hat a number of months earlier.”
The victim, who was the ex-boyfriend of Ms Mitchell, told the women to leave, otherwise he would call police.
“Ms Mitchell snatched the phone from his hands and then a scuffle broke out over the phone,” Judge Allen said.
The victim fell to the ground and the two women left with the phone.
After that scuffle, the victim went to shut his front door.
“It was at that time that you, Mr Northcott, forced the door open and tackled the victim to the ground,” Judge Allen said.
Northcott then punched the victim a couple of times to the head and body.
Mudge then entered the house and punched the victim, before both men left.
The court heard the victim sustained a fractured cheekbone, two black eyes and facial lacerations.
Northcott, of Renmark, pleaded guilty to serious criminal trespass and causing harm with intent, while Mudge, of Monash, pleaded guilty to serious criminal trespass and assault causing harm.
“It is apparent that this incident was over very quickly, a matter of seconds as opposed to minutes,” Judge Allen said.
“It would seem you both followed them there and only became involved after their decision to confront the victim over the hat backfired, with the situation escalating very quickly.”
The court heard Northcott had matured since the birth of his first child and committed himself to family life.
“You now appear to have insight into your behaviour, acknowledging that violence is not the answer,” Judge Allen said.
The court heard Mudge was an active member of his local community, working for Kingston Estate Winery and playing football and cricket for Monash.
“Members of the community are entitled to feel safe in their own home,” Judge Allen said.
“Whilst there is an explanation, there is no excuse for what you both did this night.”
Northcott was sentenced to three years and four months jail, with a non-parole period of two years.
The sentence was suspended on a $500, two-year good behaviour bond.
Due to Mudge’s lesser role and no criminal history, he was sentenced to a two-year good behaviour bond.
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