Five people pleaded guilty to Bordertown home invasion and assault

A landlord and her sons took matters into their own hands to remove a couple from a rental, recruiting others for a violent home invasion, a court heard.

A landlord and her sons viciously attacked a couple in their home after deciding to confront them over suspicions of inappropriate renting behaviour and aggressive texts, a court heard.

Lee Laraine Burchell, 48, of Murray Bridge, and her sons Aiden Gregory Mullan, 30, of Bordertown, and Jye William Mullan, 25, of Elwomple, took matters into their own hands to try to remove Jessica Lee Applebee and Jock Bleasby from their home.

Darcy Jay Cameron, 29, of Narrogin, and Hakopa Hamahona Tewhata, 28, of Bordertown, were also involved in the “unjustified” home invasion on October 27, 2019.

Patrick Hill, prosecuting, pushed for immediate jail for the four men but conceded a home detention sentence would be appropriate for Burchell.

Mr Hill said the couple and a third person were immediately assaulted by the defendants after they broke in.

Aiden Gregory Mullan, with his mother Lee Laraine Burchell and brother Jye Mullan behind him. Image: Russell Millard Photography

Hakopa Tewhata. Image: Russell Millard Photography

Darcy Jay Cameron. Image: Russell Millard Photography

“The assault on Mr Bleasby in particular was relatively sustained involving numerous blows only ending because he was able to break free and flee the premises,” he said.

Jye William Mullan. Image: Russell Millard Photography

The court heard Burchell pulled Ms Applebee’s hair to restrain her while Mr Bleasby was assaulted by other members of the group.

Ms Applebee said Jye punched her to the face.

The group pleaded guilty to serious criminal trespass and a variety of assault charges.

Stephen Ey, for Aiden, told the court Mr Bleasby and his client had been best mates prior to the incident but things deteriorated.

He said an ultimatum was given to Mr Bleasby to leave the premises by November 1, 2019.

“There had been a smashed wall, it was discovered that Bleasby was growing cannabis at the premises,” he said.

Mr Ey said a multitude of texts sent by Mr Bleasby to Aiden was the catalyst for the offending, with the messages showing Bleasby was aggressive and asserting someone had stolen or killed their cat and stolen property – all of which was denied.

Neither Ms Applebee or Mr Bleasby have been charged with any wrongdoing.

Some of the Mr Bleasby’s texts to Aiden were read to the court, with him saying:

“I don’t care … going to be a f***ing bloodbath c***” and “You might be bigger than me … hope you’ll kill me, c***”.

Mr Ey said Mr Bleasby also threatened to burn the house down but his client accepted it was no excuse for his actions and he was remorseful.

The court heard on the day of the offending the group had played golf and consumed alcohol before deciding to confront Mr Bleasby.

Will Mickan, for Jye, said his client’s offending could be attributed to his immaturity and alcohol use.

The court heard Jye worked as a farm hand and was a father, having drastically reduced his alcohol use after the birth of his daughter.

Carrie Demertzis, for Cameron, said her client was not completely aware of what motivated his attendance, which he attributed to his level of intoxication.

The court heard Cameron had reduced his alcohol intake since the offending and his partner was expecting his first child in two months.

Edward Jolly, for Tewhata, told the court his client, who was employed as a farm worker, made an error of judgement and was regretful.

“He went to the house affected by alcohol on the misguided belief that he was supporting a good friend,” he said.

Miranda van Heuven, for Burchell, pushed for a suspended sentence, saying her client would lose custody of her two-year-old granddaughter – Jye’s daughter – if she was sentenced to home detention.

The court heard Burchell had rented out the Salom St, Bordertown, property to the two victims, whom she knew through her sons.

Ms van Heuven told the court Burchell was concerned about the damage caused to the walls of the property and while the home invasion wasn’t her idea she went there knowing the others had an intention to remove the victims.

Judge Jane Schammer will sentence the group later this month.