SA Supreme Court told Peter Rex Dansie refused to spend ‘his’ money on disabled wife’s care in the month before she drowned

A month before his wife drowned, Peter Dansie refused to pay for physiotherapy she needed and claimed he shouldn’t have to spend “his” money on her, a murder trial has heard.

The Veale Gardens pond where Helen Dansie drowned. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

• THE CHARGE: ‘Wife was a burden killer would no longer tolerate’
• THE SON: ‘Mum was always dirty … I wore a wire to talk to Dad’
• THE FALL: Murder accused hits head after court visits crime scene
• BACK ON: Alleged murderer returns to trial after sudden fall

Peter Rex Dansie claimed he should not have to spend his money on caring for his disabled wife, Helen, just one month before she drowned, a court has heard.

The Supreme Court has also been told Dansie vowed he would no longer visit Helen if efforts to move her to a new nursing home, against his wishes, were successful.

He also declined to pay her physiotherapy bills, saying there was “no point” because it would not make her mobile enough to return to their home.

Public Advocate Suzanne Rozman has given evidence in Dansie’s murder trial, outlining conversations she had with him in March 2017.

At that time, Helen was living in the dementia ward of a suburban nursing home, even though she was disabled not due to that condition, but because of a stroke.

“I advised Peter that Helen’s life should be made as enjoyable as possible, and that she was left to sit in her wheelchair all day with people who could not interact,” she said.

“I advised him that, from everything he had told me about the properties he owned, the money he made, the travel he had done, he was a wealthy man.

“He said he was the only one who visited her, and that he would not visit if she moved facilities.

“He advised that he should not have to spend his money on Helen.”

Peter and Helen Dansie. Picture: Facebook.

Dansie, 70, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Helen, 67, by drowning her in a Veale Gardens pond in April 2017.

He insists he jumped in to save her after her wheelchair accidentally went into the pond, but could not keep her head above water due to the cold and his “bad legs”.

Prosecutors allege Dansie threw her in because she was “a burden he was no longer prepared to tolerate”, then embarked on “a course of deception and subterfuge” to avoid arrest.

During the trial, the court has heard Helen’s welfare was the subject of multiple Guardianship Board applications.

Helen Dansie was disabled as a result of a stroke. Picture: Supplied.

In her evidence, Ms Rozman said she and Mr Dansie were serving as joint guardians by March 2017, when she required physiotherapy.

“He stated he was not going to pay for it as he had paid for intensive physiotherapy when the plan was for her to return home from hospital,” she said.

“He said that, now that she was placed (in a nursing home), there was no point.”

She said they had further discussions when Helen asked to attend two family funerals, and Dansie refused to pay for access cab and a carer.

“I advised that, if he refused to pay, I would have to apply to the SA Civil and Administrative Tribunal for a review of the administration orders,” she said.

“It would need to determine exactly what funds were available and whether another administrator would need to be appointed, if the current one would not pay for Helen’s needs.”

Ms Rozman said Dansie then agreed to cover the cost of the cab and carer.

The trial, before Justice David Peek and in the absence of a jury, continues.