Alleged serial killer Steven Leslie Hainsworth blames former outlaw bikie, man with schizophrenia, for two of his alleged murders

An accused triple murderer has suggested two other people could be responsible for some of his alleged crimes – but they’ve hit back in fiery court exchanges.

An accused serial killer has suggested two witnesses in his trial – a former outlaw bikie and a man with a mental illness – may be the real murderers of two of his alleged victims.

Steven Leslie Hainsworth’s claims have prompted angry responses from the witnesses, with the former bikie dubbing them “laughable, appalling and disgusting”.

During Mr Hainsworth’s ongoing Supreme Court trial, prosecutors called evidence from a former outlaw and reformed drug dealer who cannot be named.

He told the court that, in October 2010, Mr Hainsworth and one of his friends offered him a digital camera in exchange for drugs.

Prosecutors claim that camera belonged to Beverley Hanley – Mr Hainsworth’s aunt and his alleged second victim, who suffered blunt-force trauma, possibly from a cricket bat.

Andrew Fowler-Walker, for Mr Hainsworth, cited the witness’ long criminal record and history “bashing people’s legs with baseball bats” to recover drug debts.

“Did you have anything to do with the death of Beverley Hanley?” he asked.

The former bikie replied: “No, and it’s quite disgusting and appalling that you would even try to say I would have.”

“My crimes were against other drug dealers, other criminals, other people from a murky lifestyle – not an innocent old lady, or an innocent old man, or a pensioner,” he said.

“For you to try and twist something to say I’m guilty, because I was a violent person and lived a murky lifestyle on the bikie scene (is wrong).

“And then for you to say I take a step away from that scene to go and rob and murder some defenceless old lady for a few hundred bucks and a camera? Come on, man.”

Mr Hainsworth, 49, of Mildura, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Mrs Hanley, his former neighbour Phyllis Harrison, and his associate Stephen Newton between 1998 and 2011.

Prosecutors allege all three pensioners were alone in their homes and vulnerable when Mr Hainsworth killed them, and then stole their possessions to finance his illicit drug use.

They have further alleged attempts had been made to set Mr Newton’s home on fire to destroy evidence.

At trial, prosecutors also called evidence from a Mount Gambier man, who cannot be named, who was an associate of both Mr Newton and Mr Hainsworth.

Mr Fowler-Walker asked the man if his criminal history included convictions for housebreaking, dealing in stolen property and arson, and he agreed it did.

The man also conceded he had schizophrenia, for which he took medication.

“What I suggest is, between September and October 2011, you were not taking your medication (and) expressed anger toward Mr Newton,” Mr Fowler-Walker said.

“I suggest you took a whole heap of property from his house.”

The man said that was “not correct”, and denied both killing Mr Newton for his cannabis and attempting to set fire to his home.

The trial continues.