Malakai Wanganeen sentenced for Christies Beach home invasion and robbery

A homeowner – who was bashed and had her hair ripped out during a duo’s robbery – had to give up her career in real estate after she was left traumatised.

A southern suburbs woman had her hair ripped out and was left needing stitches after a duo used a hammer to break into her house and attack her.

Malakai Jason Lee Wanganeen, 21, was spared jail after showing remorse for the violent home invasion that left the victim traumatised.

The District Court heard Christies Beach homeowner, Paula Alexander was woken up to the sound of glass being smashed on December 11, 2019 at 3.30am.

Wanganeen and another man had broken into the woman’s house by using a hammer to smash through the sliding door.

The court heard the woman was confronted by the two men, and she wrestled with one who had her handbag.

During the course of the altercation, a clump of the victim’s hair was pulled out and she was struck on her wrist with the hammer, which required stitches.

“One of you was yelling ‘Give me everything, b****,” Judge Jane Schammer said during sentencing on Tuesday.

The court heard the contents of Ms Alexander’s handbag were never recovered, which included $400, credit cards, diamond earrings and more.

Malakai Wanganeen was handed a suspended sentence for the violent home invasion. Photo: Facebook

Wanganeen, of Hendon, pleaded guilty to serious criminal trespass and robbery.

Judge Schammer said the offending had a profound impact on Ms Alexander, who also had her house broken into and trashed a year prior.

“She has suffered recurring nightmares and flashbacks of the offending and panic attacks,” she said.

“She is no longer capable of working and has been forced to step away from her career in the real estate industry, as she no longer feels safe entering houses alone.”

The court heard Wanganeen fell in with the wrong crowd after struggling to cope with the death of his mother in 2016.

The court heard Wanganeen denied inflicting any of the violence on the homeowner but accepted full responsibility for it occurring.

“It cannot be underestimated how frightening the experience must have been for Ms Alexander, a woman home alone in the middle of the night, confronted by intruders in her house,” Judge Schammer said.

The court heard Wanganeen – who previously played football in Goolwa – was working as an apprentice gyprocker.

Judge Schammer sentenced Wanganeen to three years and nine months jail, with a non-parole period of one year and four months.

Due to Wanganeen’s youth and remorse, the sentence was suspended on a $500, two-year good behaviour bond.

He was also ordered to pay Ms Alexander $1400 in compensation.