Jodie Wakeling gives evidence in court after Mark Andrew Sandery allegedly stomped on her head

A mother-of-11 who was allegedly violently stomped on by a man after trying to help her neighbour told the court she didn’t know if she was going to live or die.

A mother-of-11 who was allegedly viciously stomped on by a man told the court she didn’t know if she was going to live or die.

Mark Andrew Sandery, 53, is standing trial after claiming he was acting in self defence during an alleged sickening attack.

Matthew De Lorme, for the prosecution, told the District Court in his opening statement that the alleged victim, Michael Kriticos, took his dog for a walk at Exeter on November 8, 2022.

He walked past a group of female youths, with one allegedly yelling abuse at him before Mr Kriticos and some of the group members threw punches.

Mark Sandery.

The court heard a civilian intervened and broke up the fight before Mr Kriticos was picked up and taken home.

Shortly after he heard yelling coming from the street and saw about 15 people out the front of his unit.

The court heard a short time later, Mr Kriticos could see two males, one of which is alleged to be Mr Sandery, bashing the front door with a hammer.

Mark Sandery pleaded not guilty to attempted serious criminal trespass and causing harm with intent. Photo: File

The court heard as Mr Kriticos leaned forward Mr Sandery allegedly struck the door again with the hammer – striking him in the eye and causing him to lose consciousness.

Police arrived after being called several times by Mr Kriticos’ neighbour, Jodie Wakeling.

The court heard Ms Wakeling became involved in a scuffle with one of Mr Sandery’s family members, which was witnessed by Mr Sandery who made a beeline toward her.

“The accused, as he reached Jodie Wakeling, threw her to the ground and stomped on her head numerous times,” Mr De Lorme said.

Mr Sandery, of Kilburn, has pleaded not guilty to attempted serious criminal trespass, recklessly causing harm and causing harm with intent.

Giving evidence, Ms Wakeling told the court she walked outside after police arrived.

“All my memory is seeing two young guys to the left of me and they said something, and the next thing I knew I was on the ground, covering my face and immense pain in my head,” she said.

“I didn’t know what was going on, what was happening to me.

“I just wanted it to stop. I didn’t know if I was gonna live or die.”

The court heard Ms Wakeling suffered a large haematoma blood clot at the top of her earlobe, bruising and had four earrings ripped out during the incident.

In cross examination, Nick Healy, for Mr Sandery, asked Ms Wakeling if she had attacked a male person prior to being injured, which she denied.

“I remember feeling very threatened and scared all of a sudden in an instant,” she said.

“And next second there was people at me. That’s all I remember.”

Mr Healy previously asked the jury to keep an open mind about the incident.

“The dispute in relation to what occurred here, … will be how it actually started, who started it and who was actually the aggressor in that incident?” he said.

Mr Healy said Mr Sandery’s defence for assaulting Ms Wakeling was that he was acting in self defence of his family member.

The trial before a jury continues.