Heather Shirley Wilma Barrett refuses to name co-conspirators in violent armed home invasion on innocent victim

A “community leader” who helped several men dispense ‘”street justice” on the wrong victim at gunpoint has learned her fate, while her co-conspirators continue to walk free.

A known “community leader” who has a reputation as a problem solver has learned her fate for her part in a violent home invasion — that targeted the wrong house.

Heather Shirley Wilma Barrett, 40, was “recruited” to help dispense “community justice”, and will be the only one punished as she refuses to name her co-conspirators, a court has heard.

Barrett continued to help several others rob a man at gunpoint even after learning they had targeted the wrong home, the Mount Gambier District Court heard.

Addressing the court, prosecutor Kylie Benson previously said Barrett was well known in the community and took pride in her status as a problem solver, the court heard.

“Ms Barrett sees herself as a member of a community that people turn to — to sort things out,” she said.

“She’s aware that she’s a member of a community that people are afraid of.”

Heather Shirley Wilma Barrett, 40, has been slammed for her role in a terrifying home invasion. Picture: Shutterstock

Because Barrett refused to name her co-conspirators, the lack of any forensic or other types of evidence means they have not been identified or charged.

Julia Davey, for Barrett, said her client was remorseful for her actions and should not have tried to take the law into her own hands.

Barrett pleaded guilty to one count of serious criminal trespass, one count of aggravated assault with a weapon and two counts of theft.

Ms Davey told the court Barratt had suffered severe domestic abuse from several different partners and suffers from PTSD and other psychological mental illnesses.

The court heard Barrett had struggled with alcohol from a young age and as an adult was a daily consumer and was intoxicated during the break-in.

Ms Davey told the court Barrett had been recruited to help out a young teen who had been threatened but now realised “she should not take the law into her own hands”.

Ms Benson said Barrett and her co-conspirators had continued with their home invasion even after learning they had gone to the wrong address.

“It wasn’t a circumstance where (the assailants said) ‘well this is the wrong spot quick let’s go’,” she said.

“(It was) extremely traumatising for the victim and has had an ongoing impact on how he lives his life.”

Ms Benson read out a victim impact statement, telling the court the owner and his child fear returning to their home and continue to be plagued with nightmares.

“People entered my house at night, while I was sleeping — I was terrified. I wasn’t sure if I was going to be killed,” he said in his statement.

“I felt frozen, afraid to move — I thought that I was going to be shot.

“I don’t go out socially — I’m afraid of being attacked by anyone associated with the crime.”

After a 25 per cent sentencing discount was applied for her early guilty plea Barrett was sentenced to three years and nine months which was reduced to two years and 11 months for time spent in remand.