Gino Ricardo Delpiero pleads guilty to murder of Zac Davies-Scott in botched home invasion at Heddon Greta in 2022

A man charged with the violent shooting death of Zachery “Donnie” Davies-Scott in what was seen as a botched home invasion in the Hunter Valley didn’t intend to kill him, a court has heard.

Police at the scene of the shooting death of Zachery Davies-Scott on Traders Way at Heddon Greta on December 27, 2022. Picture: NBN News.

A court has heard a man charged with the violent shooting death of Zachery “Donnie” Davies-Scott in what was described as a botched home invasion in the Hunter Valley did not intend to kill him.

It was just two days after Christmas in 2022 when the 25-year-old was gunned down in front of his family, after a group of four men allegedly forced their way in his Heddon Greta home.

Strike Force Roslyn was established, which comprised of officers from the homicide squad with assistance from Hunter Valley and Northern Region police, before they arrested two men in 2023, a third man in 2024 and another man in May this year.

A woman was also arrested and charged with hindering a police investigation and has since been convicted.

In Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday, Gino Ricardo Delpiero pleaded guilty to Mr Davies-Scott’s murder and it was heard he didn’t intend to kill him but admitted his involvement in the armed robbery as part of a joint criminal enterprise.

Zac Davies-Scott, known as Donnie, was killed in a shooting at Heddon Greta on December 27, 2022. Picture: NSW Police

One of the men being arrested before being charged with murder. NSW Police.

He has been committed to the Supreme Court in September where a sentence date will be set.

The remaining co-accused – Jarryd Nickersen, Talon Dean and Matthew Robert Houghton – are all charged with his murder, are yet to enter pleas and remain before the courts.

The defence and Crown both agreed and argued that, due to the co-accused not yet entering pleas and the potential impact and prejudice on the co-accused if they went to trial, the agreed facts should not be released to the media.

Magistrate Robert Rabbidge said while members of the community should be appalled when one suffers a death due to criminal activity, he agreed the facts should not be seen just yet for publication.

Police allege the group of men targeted Mr Davies-Scott in what was first believed to be a robbery but later revealed to be over drugs.

His 52-year-old mother was also injured trying to fight off the alleged offenders, in what police say was a terrifying ordeal for the family.