Dogs rush attacker at Alice home, court hears
A GUN-WIELDING man stormed into a woman’s house in the early hours of the morning demanding she hand over drugs, before she set off a pack of dogs on him, a court has heard
Northern Territory
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A GUN-WIELDING man stormed into the house of an Alice Springs woman in the early hours of the morning demanding she hand over drugs, before she set off a pack of dogs on him, a court has heard.
David Byrne, 30, and an unidentified co-offender stormed into the house in June 2019 with Byrne armed with a rifle.
Byrne pleaded guilty to assaulting the female victim while armed with a firearm and with the intent to steal.
After a glass door was smashed, the female victim came out and saw Byrne holding the gun in a threatening manner before he started yelling “give me your gear”, in reference to methamphetamine.
The co-offender, who was wearing a skeleton type mask that was covering his face, was seen to be holding an unidentified weapon in his hands.
The victim screamed for help and her friend released their three dogs, which ran towards Byrne.
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Byrne was arrested after police were called and the gun was found hidden in a fridge.
Acting Justice Trevor Riley said he did not accept the submission that the matter could be distinguished from cases where innocent members of the public were assaulted for money.
“All victims are entitled to the protection of the law,” he said.
Byrne was sentenced to jail for three years, suspended in December 2020, on various conditions, including entering a drug rehabilitation program.
Originally published as Dogs rush attacker at Alice home, court hears