Acclaimed actor Asher Keddie was in the front room of her St Kilda home a few days after Christmas when she heard a noise outside – then saw an intruder allegedly trying to wheel away one of her husband’s prized Ducati motorcycles.
On Tuesday, Melbourne Magistrates’ Court heard Keddie yelled at James Powell to stop after she spotted him trying to leave the Melbourne home she shared with artist Vincent Fantauzzo with the rare red motorbike and a helmet around 6.45am on December 28.
Vincent Fantauzzo with Asher Keddie and a portrait he painted of the actor.Credit: Kate Geraghty
Police allege Powell, 44, stole the keys to the Italian-made Ducati Scrambler, worth tens of thousands of dollars, from inside the home after entering through an unlocked back door.
The court heard Keddie then yelled out to Fantauzzo, who raced out of bed, chased Powell down the path and tackled him to the ground in front of their home.
Police said Fantauzzo put his hand on Powell’s shoulder and the accused allegedly spun his arm back and hit the award-winning Australian portraitist in the face.
The court heard that the motorcycle dropped to the ground and a fight broke out between the two men as Fantauzzo tried to restrain Powell.
“The pair fell to the ground and continued to scuffle,” said a police summary that was read to the court.
“Fantauzzo attempted to hold the accused down. The accused continued to fight and struggle with Fantauzzo, throwing his arms and legs around. Fantauzzo repeatedly told the accused to stay down until police arrived.”
The court heard a passerby then assisted Fantauzzo in restraining Powell.
Police arrived a short time later, finding Powell standing up but restrained by Fantauzzo and the passerby.
Police arrested Powell before the alleged thief lost consciousness and an ambulance was called.
Powell was taken to The Alfred for monitoring, and it was believed he had experienced some kind of drug overdose, which may have been brought on by the physical altercation, the court heard.
Powell previously indicated he would plead guilty to the charges.
The court heard Powell had an acquired brain injury following a motor vehicle accident more than a decade ago and had also been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
His lawyer, Caitlin Blakeney, told the court Powell had been exposed to significant trauma as a child, including physical violence and substance abuse in his home from the age of four.
Blakeney said his traumatic childhood had led to an escalation in his substance and alcohol abuse.
Powell is also facing charges for other alleged thefts and allegations that he assaulted a woman and attempted to put her in a car boot.
Neither Keddie nor Fantauzzo were in court on Tuesday.
Powell, who remains in custody, was ordered to reappear in court on April 16 for a plea hearing.
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