Christopher Robinson, Jana Henson and Nicki Robinson standing trial for violent Ridgehaven home invasion
A jury’s verdict looms for a trio with a “pathetic” motive in an alleged violent home invasion, with a lawyer accusing one of the alleged victims of being on drugs during the trial.
North & North East
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A jury’s verdict looms for a trio accused of a violent home invasion, with the “pathetic” motive being revenge on a couple who got too big for their boots, a court heard.
Christopher Geoffrey Thornton Robinson, 42, Nicki Meree Robinson, 29, who are not related, and Jana Emily Henson, 39, are standing trial in the Supreme Court.
The trio pleaded not guilty to serious criminal trespass and robbery, while Mr Robinson also pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and causing serious harm with intent.
Kos Lesses, for the prosecution, told the court the alleged 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 alleged offending but hadn’t received payment from him.
The court heard the alleged 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.
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, allegedly standing on the bed screaming.
Ms Henson and Mr Robinson then allegedly burst into the Hazel Grove, Ridgehaven granny flat.
The court heard Mr Robinson allegedly pinned Mr Whitehead down, before slitting his neck with bladed knuckle dusters and saying “Now you’re f***ing dead”.
The court heard the group allegedly assaulted Mr McPherson, including Mr Robinson kicking him to the face, as well as allegedly stealing his silver necklace.
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 court heard both women were located at Ms Henson’s address in Magill where police located Mr Whitehead’s phone and the blonde wig Ms Robinson allegedly wore.
In his closing statement Mr Lesses said the “simple, if not pathetic” motive for the alleged home invasion was the note left by the alleged victims.
“In the eyes of Nicki Robinson and Chris Robinson, Jason and Beau were getting too big for their boots and they’d overstepped the mark in trying to recover the fantasy money,” he said.
Mr Lesses pointed to text evidence where Mr Robinson referred to himself as a “Gangland enforcer” within hours of the alleged invasion, which he said painted his role when it came to drug deals gone wrong.
Brittany Armstrong, for Ms Henson, told the court her client had no motive and there was insufficient evidence, including no DNA to support she was present.
“Mr Whitehead did not recognise Ms Henson, rather he was told by Mr McPherson that it was Jana,” she said.
Gilbert Aitken, for Mr Robinson, told the court there was also no forensic evidence placing Mr Robinson at the scene.
Mr Aitken said Mr Whitehead made inconsistent statements during the trial and had a history of dishonesty, including passing valueless cheques to fund his heroin addiction.
Mr Aitken said Mr Whitehead and Mr McPherson – who he claimed were drug dealers – concocted the false story to avoid potential retribution from their supplier for unpaid drug money.
“The complainants had to point the finger at someone else, we say that Christopher Robinson was a safe target,” he said.
Sally Burgess, for Ms Robinson, said her client denied any criminal wrongdoing and there was also insufficient evidence to connect her to the alleged home invasion.
Ms Burgess said Mr McPherson’s behaviour while giving evidence on one day during the trial was consistent with him having used GHB, including twitchy facial movements and an inability to remain on track.
The trial before a jury continues.
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