Caitlin Grainger sentenced in Taree court for home invasion, drug search

A woman who held a spinning drill near a person’s face during a “Pulp Fiction” style home invasion has been punished for the terrifying act. Here’s what happened in court.

Taree Courthouse

A woman who held a spinning drill dangerously close to a person’s face during a home invasion described by the Taree magistrate as “something out of Pulp Fiction” has been sentenced.

Caitlin Grainger was with then-boyfriend and co-offender Aidan James Ellison when they forced their way into a Taree home in a crazed search for drugs on the night of June 4 last year.

The couple demanded “who has all the drugs?”, according to court documents.

When one of the occupants came to the door and showed his pockets were empty, Ellison punched him twice in the jaw.

The victim fell back into a hallway and the pair walked into the house, continuing to demand drugs.

Co-offenders Aidan James Ellison and Caitlin Grainger.

Grainger picked up an electric drill belonging to one of the occupants and held it up an inch away from a woman’s face.

The drill was spinning so close to her face the victim could feel the air disturbed by the power tool, the court was told.

The female victim’s 10-year-old child was hiding in another room of the home at the time.

Grainger then went to another room, still hunting for drugs, and confronted another occupant, who was naked after taking a shower.

Ellison told them “cover up, my missus is here”, court documents state.

At one point during the raid, Grainger used a pair of gold scissors to threaten one of the victims, who suffered a cut to his hand when he tried to disarm her.

Police were called after the co-offenders left and they were arrested a short time later.

Grainger, who was 24 at the time, spent six months remanded in custody following her arrest, but was later granted bail – an opportunity she “grabbed with both hands” to get clean.

She now lives in Lambton with her “nan”, who has been a stabilising influence, the court heard.

Grainger appeared before Taree Magistrate Allison Hawkins for sentencing on May 22 and was given a reprieve.

‘You were going to go in today’

Rather than sentencing Grainger, Ms Hawkins adjourned to July 17 for the home invader to provide further evidence she was clean of drugs.

“You were going to go in today – look behind you” she said, referencing the court sheriffs on hand to take offenders into custody if sent to prison.

“These men in blue are here waiting for you.”

Caitlin Grainger.

Ms Hawkins said drug testing was “where the story is at” for Grainger.

Grainger pleaded guilty to two counts of using an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence and one count of remaining in a building with intent to commit an indictable offence.

However, three charges of aggravated robbery and going armed with intent were withdrawn by the prosecution.

When she returned to the court for sentencing, Ms Hawkins told Grainger: “You owe the community for this disgraceful conduct.”

Grainger was sentenced to an aggregate term of imprisonment of 15 months to be served by way of intensive corrections in the community. She was also ordered to perform 100 hours of community service.

She was ordered to stay away from alcohol and drugs and to not associate with Ellison.

Grainger has appealed the severity of the sentence in the District Court.

Ellison, 31, spent just over five months remanded in custody following the home invasion, but was later bailed.

He was arrested after being found driving Grainger’s car in the hours following the incident.

Ellison was sentenced on May 22 on two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one count of remaining in a building with intent to commit an indictable offence.

He was ordered to serve an 18-month intensive corrections order and to perform 300 hours of community service.

He was also disqualified from driving for nine months in total and fined $500 for low-range drink driving and driving while a licence application was refused.