John Chenery: Vietnam Vet hit with six charges in house dispute
A palatial $2.48m Tasmanian property is at the centre of a bitter dispute between a decorated Vietnam War veteran and his wife, which has resulted in six criminal charges for the man.
Tasmania
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A Tasmanian Vietnam War veteran with a decorated career in the RAAF is facing six criminal charges including common assault and destroying property.
Summerhill man John Michael Chenery, 71, has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
He is charged with four breaches of a police family violence order and destroying property, which Tasmania Police allege occurred at the Riverside property he formerly shared with his wife on June 6 this year.
Tasmania Police allege he also assaulted his wife’s friend at the family home on October 11.
Speaking in Launceston Magistrates Court on Friday, defence lawyer James Kitto told the court the four charges of breaching the PFVO and destroying property occurred in the context of a desperate Mr Chenery attempting to remove his property from the home and yard.
The destroying property charge relates to Mr Chenery allegedly cutting through a chained gate to access the 77ha property, which he was only supposed to be at in the presence of police.
The court heard Mr Chenery was adamant the chains were his, so he couldn’t be guilty of destroying them. However, the court was told Tasmania Police would allege the chains were provided by authorities to his wife to protect herself from him.
Mr Kitto said that a $2.48m contract for the pair’s residence fell through, as the potential buyers wanted vacant possession but, as Mr Chenery was unable to collect his belongings, this could not be effected. His wife maintains possession of the property.
“Another agent has been engaged but it’s unlikely they’ll get the same price. The purchaser terminated the agreement, she (his client’s wife) could have just left the property and it would have settled. It could have gone to settlement and they would have gotten a lot of money, now they won’t get any money,” Mr Kitto said.
“It’s back on the market now with Parry Property but it’s in a state of disrepair. The property needs to be cleaned up and readied for sale but it’s worse than ever,” Mr Kitto said.
He submitted that his client had a reasonable belief he was able to access the property on June 6, as Magistrate Sharon Cure had ordered his wife allow access so Mr Chenery could collect his belongings.
“There was a sense of desperation in my client’s mind,” Mr Kitto said.
However, Tasmania Police allege Mr Chenery was still required to wait for a police escort before accessing the property, which they say he did not do.
Ms Cure expressed some sympathy for the position of Mr Chenery, who the court heard desperately wanted to move interstate but couldn’t until the house sold.
“He’s doing everything in his power to get his (belongings),” she said.
“He’s not approached her, not abused her. He’s trying to get his tractor and various items of machinery.”
Ms Cure said Mr Chenery and his wife had a “very troubled relationship”.
The five domestic violence charges and the common assault charge will be heard separately on March 17 and April 3 next year.
Mr Chenery told Ms Cure, “Hopefully we can do this by Zoom”.
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Originally published as John Chenery: Vietnam Vet hit with six charges in house dispute
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