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

A woman who committed a revenge home invasion and then went on the run before the jury’s verdict has told a court she wants to finish her law degree when released.

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

An aspiring lawyer has begged for no jail after she found herself on the wrong side of the law and committed a violent home invasion.

Nicki Meree Robinson, 30, faced sentencing submissions in the District Court this week, now admitting she committed the revenge-fuelled offending.

Ms Robinson was found guilty by a jury in July of serious criminal trespass and theft after a month-long trial in the Supreme Court and acquitted of robbery.

Christopher Geoffrey Thornton Robinson, 43, was found guilty of serious criminal trespass and causing harm with intent.

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

while Jana Emily Henson, 39, was acquitted of serious criminal trespass and robbery.

Christopher Robinson. Photos: Courts SA

Nicki Meree Robinson. Picture: NCA NewsWire

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

The bloody sheets after Mr Robinson stabbed Mr Whitehead in the neck during the home invasion. Photos: 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, Benjamin Lodge, for Ms Robinson, told the court his client now accepted the jury’s verdict and was remorseful for the offending.

The court heard Ms Robinson was previously studying law at university but her life unravelled after she started using methamphetamine.

“The sad aspect of that is that when she was first remanded in custody, she was absolutely distraught,” Mr Lodge said.

“But now having reflected on her time and spent her time wisely, she sees that its actually been the best thing that could have happened for her.”

Mr Lodge said Ms Robinson, who was drug-affected during the offending, wants to live a law abiding and drug-free life upon her release.

“She wants to go back to law school but she does understand the challenges that she will face if she seeks admission to practice,” he said.

Mr Lodge pushed for no jail but acknowledged that Ms Robinson had absconded before the verdict.

“Now the cutting off the bracelet, it probably goes without saying, occurred in the context of panic,” he said.

“She was extremely worried about what the jury’s verdict was going to be, made the decision, whilst affected by drugs to abscond.”

Mr Lesses pushed for a jail term, saying the offending was plainly premeditated.

The duo will be sentenced next month.