Andrew Christopher Gillette jailed for home invasions at Bolton Point after guilty finding

After two Lake Macquarie families became victims to separate violent home invasions by two armed men, one of the perpetrators was unexpectedly stopped in his tracks as he tried to flee.

Andrew Gillette was jailed at Newcastle District Court on Friday. Supplied Amy Ziniak

It was a frightening night for two Lake Macquarie families who became victims to separate violent home invasions by armed men but in a bizarre turn of events one of the perpetrators getaway was marred when he was hit by a car.

Andrew Christopher Gillette was found guilty at a trial in May of two counts of aggravated breaking and entering commit and a related common assault charge when he and another unknown man stormed two homes at Bolton Point on the night of February 22 last year.

While Judge Peter McGrath said he was satisfied the 36-year-old was one of the two men involved in both break ins, and was armed with a firearm, there was insufficient evidence to determine whether the firearm was in working order.

Gillette was then found not guilty of a charge of acquire pistol subject to a firearm prohibition order.

Newcastle District Court heard on Friday Gillette and another man stormed the first home at Bolton Point at around 10pm after the owner had opened the door to a young girl he thought was in trouble but was used as a “decoy”.

Gillette was one of two men responsible for two separate home invasions in Bolton Point in February, 2023.

Wearing face masks and hoodies the pair forced their way in, and as Gillette kept the residents at bay with his gun, his co-offender – armed with a machete – searched the home.

The court heard the 36-year-old struck a man to the ribs with his firearm before the pair yelled: “If we come back we mean business next time, don’t get police involved.”

Shortly after the duo fled, they targeted another nearby property but this time one of the occupants tried to fight back and grab at Gillette’s gun before the other offender jumped in and started swinging what was believed to be an axe.

The court heard Gillette bashed the man with the “butt” of his firearm while the other man swung an axe and caused a “mad jolt” to his face causing a bloody laceration.

The pair eventually were chased out of the house by two of the occupants, a coffee cup being thrown at Gillette.

But the 36-year-old who was running up the street was then hit by a car and thrown into the air before he collided with one of the neighbour’s wheelie bins, the court heard.

It was further heard the next step by Gillette was to bang on the door of a nearby home, plead with the woman to call an ambulance before he was found in the front yard wearing one shoe and complaining of knee pain.

The police facts stated that after being taken to John Hunter Hospital he was interviewed by police and gave a story that he got “very drunk” at a party he was invited to at Toronto and was in an area he didn’t know before he got clipped by the vehicle.

Mr McGrath said on Friday he found Gillette’s account of the night “unreliable” and was satisfied he was one of the men responsible for the home invasions that night.

He said there was some planning, but it was “not sophisticated” but noted it would have been “terrifying” for all victims involved.

The court heard Gillette had a lengthy criminal history littered with offences including driving and drug matters, firearm offences and previous break and enters.

He was sentenced to ten years jail with a non-parole period of seven years. With time served he could be released to parole in February, 2030.

Originally published as Andrew Christopher Gillette jailed for home invasions at Bolton Point after guilty finding