Ricky Steven Werner applied for home detention bail as court heard chilling threat in terrifying alleged home invasion

A bone-chilling threat allegedly made to a man who had a metal pole held to his throat after three men stormed his house, has been revealed in court.

A man and two others allegedly held a metal pole to a man’s throat during a home invasion before threatening to rape his girlfriend, a court has heard.

Ricky Steven Werner, 32, applied for home detention bail in the Adelaide Magistrates Court last week over health concerns for his now wheelchair-bound wife.

A prosecutor told the court Mr Werner arrived at the alleged victim’s Brahma Lodge home in November last year and asked to be let in.

The court heard the alleged victim told him no before he was allegedly punched in the face.

The court heard Mr Werner and two other men then allegedly broke down the front door.

“The partner of the victim locked herself in the bedroom,” the prosecutor said.

Ricky Werner was refused bail over charges of serious criminal trespass and causing harm with intent. Photo: Facebook

“There’s allegations that there were threats of rape to her.

“The victim was further assaulted, a metal pipe was held to his throat.”

The court heard the police arrived and following a pursuit arrested Mr Werner.

The prosecutor said while CCTV footage from the front of the house didn’t show the alleged assault, it showed the three men at the door, with one armed with the metal pole.

Magistrate Simon Smart asked if there was a pre-existing grievance between Mr Werner and the alleged victim.

“According to the victim there was nothing apparent,” the prosecutor replied.

“He had met him a couple of times through a neighbour that lived across the road.”

Mr Werner, of Munno Para West, is charged with serious criminal trespass and causing harm with intent.

The court heard one co-accused had pleaded guilty to the same charges, while Mr Werner and the other co-accused were yet to enter pleas.

Rachel Regester, for Mr Werner, told the court the bail application was brought on in relation to the urgent medical needs of her client’s wife.

“She’s diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, which is a progressive and degenerative condition,” she said.

“Her health has significantly deteriorated … there have been recent, frequent relapses that have now resulted in her being wheelchair bound.”

Ms Regester said Mr Werner’s wife had been unable to care for the children, aged one, seven and nine, as she has no family support.
She conceded Mr Werner had an “unfavourable” criminal history but said the current charges were contested.

“Mr Werner acknowledges being at the property, the CCTV footage does not disclose any alleged assault and that’s certainly disputed,” she said.

Magistrate Smart declined the application, due to the gravity of the allegations and the risk of reoffending.

“It’s always refused,” Mr Werner commented.

Mr Werner will appear in court again next month.

Originally published as Ricky Steven Werner applied for home detention bail as court heard chilling threat in terrifying alleged home invasion