Phyllis Harrison’s family gives evidence in murder trial for Steven Hainsworth

Phyllis Harrison’s alleged murderer admitted going on to her property on the day she died, a court has heard – but claimed an innocent reason.

An accused serial killer told his alleged first victim’s family he was sorry to hear of her death, and that he had been on to her property “to get a ball” on the day she died, a court has heard.

On Thursday, Phyllis Harrison’s granddaughter Kylie told the Supreme Court of a conversation she had with Steven Leslie Hainsworth, days after the alleged murder.

“He came into Nanna’s front yard, I was on the front porch,” she said.

Kylie Harrison, the granddaughter of Phyllis Harrison, leaves the Supreme Court on Thursday after giving evidence in the murder trial of Steven Hainsworth. Picture: Mark Brake

“He said he was sorry to hear about Nanna’s death, and then he said one of his kids had hit a ball over the fence about 8.30 (on the day she died).

“He said it was too late to come over so he went over the next morning, he went to the front door and there was no answer.

“He said he went around the back and the side door was open, he called out and went into the yard and grabbed the ball.

“At the time, I didn’t question any more.”

Steven Hainsworth is standing trial accused of the murder of Stephen Newton, Beverley Hanley and Phyllis Harrison. Picture: Tom Huntley

Mr Hainsworth, 49, of Mildura in Victoria, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Mrs Harrison, his aunt Beverley Hanley, and associate Stephen Newton between 1998 and 2011.

Mrs Harrison was found dead in her Elizabeth South home, by members of her family, in March 1998.

Mr Hainsworth was, at that time, her next-door neighbour.

On Thursday, Kylie Harrison said she “saw Nanna probably most days”, mornings and afternoons, because she walked past her house to get to high school.

After she graduated, she moved to Whyalla for further study - and Mrs Harrison was one of the people who facilitated that move.

The last time she saw Mrs Harrison, she said, was February 28, 1998 - just days before her alleged murder.

She agreed Mrs Harrison was “a woman of her generation” who wore many layers of clothing, including stomach-shaping underwear over stockings.

“Nanna always wore stockings, regardless of what she was wearing,” she said.

Asked to identify photos of clothing, shoes and glasses found in Mrs Harrison’s home, Kylie became emotional.

“Yes, those were Nanna’s,” she said.

Dean Harrison the son of murder Phyllis Harrison leaves court flanked by family and friends after giving evidence on Thursday. Picture: Mark Brake

The court also heard from Mrs Harrison’s son, Dean.

He was teaching at Charles Campbell Secondary College in March 1998 when he received a call to go to the office.

“It was one of my later lessons … they called me up, saying it was an urgent thing,” Mr Harrison, now 77, said.

“They wouldn’t say what it was … I first had my brother-in-law mention it on the way down McIntyre Rd, as we drove down the hill.

“I asked him ‘is it the worst?’ and he said ‘yes, it’s the worst’.”

He said that, by the time they arrived at Mrs Harrison’s home, it “was zoned off … it was a crime scene”.

Phyllis Harrison was found dead at her home in 1998.

Phyllis Harrison with her husband Alec in about 1988.

He said his mother’s house had been “very, very secure” but conceded she was unlikely to lock an outside door, that led into the pool room, at times.

“I imagine she (usually) would, knowing my mother, but if she was going into the back yard to do the washing she wouldn’t lock it every time,” he said.

Mr Harrison said that, days after his mother’s death, Mr Hainsworth came to the house.

“We didn’t have much to do with those neighbours … one time, the defendant did come down the driveway,” he said.

“I met him at the top of the driveway … there was a brief conversation, of which I can’t recall the details.”

Director of Public Prosecutions Martin Hinton KC asked if the person who came down the driveway was “the bloke in the dock”.

Mr Harrison looked at Mr Hainsworth and replied: “Yes.”

In cross-examination, Mr Harrison agreed he had “tossed back” some balls that had come over his mother’s back fence from time to time.

He also read part of a statement he wrote, in June 1998, recounting a conversation with Mrs Harrison.

“I was concerned with some of the people that would come and go from the neighbours (house),” he said.

“Mum had mentioned to me about the lifestyle of the people next door, about the noise, beer cans, playing cricket late at night, dogs barking.”

The trial continues.