Christopher Robinson, Jana Henson and Nicki Robinson standing trial for violent Ridgehaven home invasion
A defence lawyer has suggested a man whose throat was allegedly slit in a trio’s violent home invasion cooked up the plan with his partner to implicate his client, a court has heard.
North & North East
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A defence lawyer has suggested a man whose throat was allegedly slit over a drug debt cooked up the plan with his partner who “called the shots” in their relationship, 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 over the alleged violent home invasion.
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 in his opening statement 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.
Mr Whitehead said Mr Robinson allegedly pinned him down, before slitting his neck with what he believed were bladed knuckle dusters.
The court heard the group allegedly assaulted Mr McPherson, including Mr Robinson kicking him to the face, as well as stealing his silver necklace.
He suffered injuries including a lump to the head, a split lip and broken teeth.
Mr Whitehead was conveyed to hospital after severing his occipital artery 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 cross examination, Gilbert Aitken, for Mr Robinson, submitted that Mr McPherson told Mr Whitehead to say the attacker was his client – pointing to the couple’s history of domestic violence.
“Your account of what you said to this jury was something you cooked up with Beau McPherson wasn’t it?” he asked, which Mr Whitehead denied.
“You went along with Beau because he calls the shots in the relationship doesn’t he?”
“No, not at all,” replied Mr Whitehead.
Mr Aitken said Mr Whitehead had a history of dishonesty, including being convicted of fraud charges in 1996.
Mr Whitehead admitted to his criminal history – saying he had a heroin addiction at the time.
Brittany Armstrong, for Ms Henson, told the court there was insufficient evidence to prove beyond reasonable doubt her client was one of the people present.
Sally Burgess, for Ms Robinson, said her client denied any criminal wrongdoing whatsoever.
The trial before a jury continues.
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