Michael Kriticos gives evidence in court after Mark Andrew Sandery allegedly bashed him with hammer

The “terrified” man who blacked out after being bashed with a hammer said he recognised his alleged attacker from television 10 years prior when someone shot his son.

The “terrified” man who was bashed with a hammer said he recognised his alleged attacker from television 10 years prior when someone shot his son.

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 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, Mr Kriticos, 58, told the court he recognised Mr Sandery when he saw him allegedly with a hammer, yelling “Get the f*** out here, you’re f***ed. I’m going to kill you”.

“I recall seeing Mark on TV when someone attempted to shoot his son or did shoot his son,” he said.

Mr Kriticos said he leaned forward to see if anywhere else was in the yard and that’s when he was hit in the head.

“It burnt, like instant burning and pain and I just pretty much blacked out,” he said.

Mr Kriticos said after he regained consciousness he went outside, where it was “absolute chaos”.

“Like I could see Mark on the ground opposite my place in cuffs and he was yelling something at me, I couldn’t work out what it was,” he said.

“Oh, I was terrified, absolutely terrified. Terrified for my neighbours, terrified for my son and yeah, I’ve never been through anything like that before.”

Nick Healy, for Mr Sandery, 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.