Dead brother’s partner tells jury of stabbing in trial of Bernard John Robbins

The partner of a man allegedly stabbed to death by his brother at a Sunshine Coast townhouse has sobbed as she told a jury of their confrontation.

The partner of a man allegedly stabbed to death by his brother told a jury her boyfriend pushed her out of the way when the accused emerged from a house with two knives.

Karen Vanden Drieson gave evidence yesterday in the trial of Bernard John Robbins, 59, accused of murdering his brother Gregory Robbins, 61.

He has pleaded not guilty.

Ms Vanden Drieson told Brisbane Supreme Court the night of June 12, 2019 began as a lovely evening as she got acquainted with her partner's family at a Sunshine Coast townhouse.

But things soured as a discussion between the brothers became heated.

Ms Vanden Drieson said Bernard Robbins called his brother a pig and threw a full cask of wine at him while asking the couple to leave.

 

Gregory Robbins was stabbed to death, allegedly by his brother.

 

They had flown in from Western Australia that day to spend time with Bernard Robbins and his fiancee Sally Anne Doring ahead of their wedding.

Ms Vanden Drieson said Ms Doring told her fiance she wouldn't marry him if he kept up "this behaviour".

"And at that point, Bernard was starting to get really angry and that's when his mood really changed," Ms Vanden Drieson said.

"And he looked like a man possessed at that point."

Ms Vanden Drieson said she and her partner made their way to the driveway where Bernard Robbins had moved their luggage.

"We decided we were going to leave…" she said.

Karen Vanden Drieson leaves Brisbane Supreme Court after giving evidence in the trial of Bernard John Robbins. Picture: Dan Peled/NCA NewsWire

 

Ms Vanden Drieson told the jury Bernard Robbins was following them, shouting, and they turned around to find he was wielding two knives.

She began to sob as Crown prosecutor Christopher Cook asked her to confirm one of the knives came from a white sheath, presented to her in the courtroom.

She said Bernard Robbins was walking towards them as he pulled the knives out.

"(Gregory Robbins) pushed me out the way and he went towards Bernard, and Bernard was coming," Ms Vanden Drieson said.

"Greg went towards him and then a scuffle broke out."

Ms Vanden Drieson through tears said she found the knives under a nearby massage table in the garage and moved them before realising the gravity of what had happened.

Karen Vanden Drieson leaves the Supreme Court. Picture: Dan Peled/NCA NewsWire

 

A photo of a bloodstained garage was shown to the court.

Chief Justice Catherine Holmes called an early lunch break so a visibly upset Ms Vanden Drieson could have a break from questioning.

The jury finished hearing from Bernard Robbins' fiancee Ms Doring and neighbour Matthew Mitchell earlier on Tuesday.

Ms Doring told the jury her fiance had not threatened Gregory Robbins with violence in her presence, nor had she seen him with a knife.

She said Bernard Robbins had remained at a distance from his brother in the garage, and had not looked as though he was going to attack him.

Mr Mitchell, a former Australian Army rifleman, said he jumped his fence when he heard frantic shouting next door.

He said Bernard Robbins asked him, "Who the f--- are you?" when he arrived in the garage.

Mr Mitchell rendered first aid to Gregory Robbins, who couldn't be saved.

The jury is expected to hear from three more neighbours today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Originally published as 'Like a man possessed': Victim's partner tells of brother's attack