Mark Andrew Sandery is standing trial after allegedly bashing man with hammer, stomping on woman’s head

A father is on trial after he allegedly bashed a man with a hammer before stomping on his female neighbour’s head in “vigilante justice”, a court has heard.

A father allegedly bashed a man with a hammer before stomping on his female neighbour’s head in “vigilante justice”, a court heard.

Mark Andrew Sandery, 53, is standing trial this week after claiming the alleged victim was actually the aggressor and he was acting in self defence.

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 some of the group started throwing punches.

Mark Sandery.

“Michael Kriticos, unsure how to react, threw some punches back,” Mr De Lorme said.

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.

“Mr Kriticos found a large wooden stake similar to a garden stake in his front yard and he chased the group down the street and on to Semaphore Road,” Mr De Lorme said.

The court heard a brick was thrown at Mr Kriticos by a member of the group before he made it home and locked the door behind him.

The court heard a short time later, he heard some voices coming from the front of his unit saying words to the effect of “Get in there, get him, smash him and kill him”.

The court heard Mr Kriticos could see two males, one of which is alleged to be Mr Sandery, bashing the front door with a hammer and saying words to the effect of “You’re dead c***”.

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

“As he (Mr Kriticos) leaned forward Mark Sandery struck the door again with the hammer,” Mr De Lorme said.

“This time the hammer tearing through the mesh screen and striking Mr Kriticos in the eye, causing him to drop to the ground and 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 was pulled off Ms Wakeling by a police officer and placed under arrest.

The court heard Ms Wakeling, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, suffered bruising, soft tissue damage and her earrings were torn out during the alleged assault.

Mr Kriticos, who had regained consciousness at this point, came out and Mr Sandery allegedly yelled: “You want to bash my son you dog c***, bash young girls you f***ing piece of s***”.

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

Nick Healy, for Mr Sandery, 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 son.

The trial before a jury continues.