Christopher Robinson and Nicki Robinson to be sentenced for Ridgehaven home invasion

A man who had a privileged upbringing before spiralling into drug use bragged about being a “gangland enforcer” only hours after he horrifically slit a man’s throat.

Nicki Robinson and Christopher Robinson were found guilty after a trial. Photo: Courts SA

A home invader who slit a man’s throat then bragged about being a “gangland enforcer” only hours after the horrific attack, a court heard.

Christopher Geoffrey Thornton Robinson, 42, faced sentencing submissions in the District Court on Tuesday, now admitting he committed the violent offending.

Mr Robinson was found guilty by a jury in July of serious criminal trespass and causing harm with intent after a month-long trial in the Supreme Court.

He was acquitted of the more serious charge of attempted murder, as well as robbery.

Nicki Meree Robinson, 29, was found guilty of serious criminal trespass and theft, and acquitted of robbery, while Jana Emily Henson, 39, was acquitted of serious criminal trespass and robbery.

Nicki Robinson was found guilty of serious criminal trespass and theft. Photos: Courts SA

Christopher Robinson was found guilty of causing harm with intent and serious criminal trespass. Photos: Courts SA

Kos Lesses, for the prosecution, told the court during the trial the victims were Jason Whitehead and Beau McPherson, who were in a relationship at the time.

Giving evidence, Mr McPherson, 29, said he had known Ms Robinson for two years at the time of the alleged offending and had previously met Mr Robinson and Ms Henson.

Mr McPherson told the court he supplied Mr Robinson with fantasy for $400 prior to the offending but hadn’t received payment from him.

The court heard the victims left a note saying “WTF is our money for the s*** we got yest (yesterday) – don’t make me come back,” on a car outside Ms Robinson’s Paradise home.

The note the victims left on Ms Robinson’s car. Photo: Courts SA

Inside the Ridgehaven granny flat where the alleged home invasion occurred. Photo: Courts SA

Giving evidence, Mr Whitehead, 52, told the court he woke up in the early hours of September 27, 2021 to Ms Robinson, who was wearing a wig, standing on the bed screaming.

Mr Robinson then burst into the Hazel Grove, Ridgehaven granny flat.

The court heard Mr Robinson pinned Mr Whitehead down, before slitting his neck with what prosecution allege were bladed knuckle dusters and saying “Now you’re f***ing dead”.

Mr Whitehead was conveyed to hospital after having his occipital artery severed and sustaining a 15cm laceration to the back of his neck, which required medical staples.

The bloody sheets after Mr Robinson stabbed Mr Whitehead in the neck during the home invasion. Photos: Courts SA

The scar Mr Whitehead was left with after the attack by Mr Robinson. Photo: Courts SA

Mr Lesses pointed to text evidence where Mr Robinson bragged about being a “gangland enforcer” within hours of the home invasion.

On Monday, Gilbert Aitken, for Mr Robinson, told the court his client accepted the verdict and now admitted the offending.

Mr Aitken said Mr Robinson was seriously injured in a motorbike accident when he was 29, with the pain medications he was issued providing some explanation to what led to his reliance on drugs.

The court heard Robinson, who previously worked for a mining and engineering company, was a gifted student during his schooling.

“Sometimes a high or gifted IQ is not necessarily the gift that just keeps on giving,” Mr Aikten said.

“A high IQ appears as simply no guarantee of a lack of complex emotional difficulties, of emotional wellbeing, and indeed resilience.”

Mr Aitken asked for Robinson, who had spent two years in custody, to be granted an immediate release when sentenced.

“We say … that the court can be very confident that Mr Robinson is not just amenable to rehabilitation but well on the way to a return to a law-abiding and productive lifestyle,” he said.

Ms Robinson’s submissions were adjourned until next month.