Kyle and Mark Burkett, Megan Bowater jailed for violent Hawks Nest home invasion

A court has heard a violent home invasion at Hawks Nest, where an elderly man and his son were stabbed, was triggered over claims of harassment.

A Judge has warned a man to “just relax” after an outburst in court, demanding to speak despite being warned against it.

Kyle Burkett, 23, who was being sentenced as the “principal” offender in a violent home invasion, where an elderly man and his son were brutally stabbed in their Hawks Nest home on June 29 last year, took offence to something being said.

“I want to speak now. what the f**k is that s**t,” he yelled via video link in Newcastle District Court on Wednesday.

“Sit down and be quiet,” Judge Mark Williams barked at Mr Burkett.

“Mr Burkett, just relax.”

The Crown Prosecutor told the court there was a “degree of planning” and the attack wasn’t “opportunistic” when Mr Burkett (Jr), along with his father Mark Burkett, 48, and John Thomas, 31, stormed the Booner St residence at around 10.30pm that night.

Kyle (middle) and Mark Burkett (left), John Thomas (right) pleaded guilty over a violent home invasion at Hawks Nest. Credit: Facebook/Amy Ziniak

The court heard the violent incident was triggered when Burkett Jr — from Gosford — was contacted by friend Megan Bowater, 32, after she claimed she was being harassed at the home she was living at.

Ms Bowater told Burkett Jr she was staying with a man called Mark Hughes, 53, known as ‘Turtle’, and was angry that she was told to leave because she “didn’t put out”.

She had arranged for all three men, including ex-boyfriend Thomas, to storm the home, according to police facts.

In the frenzied attack, Burkett Jr admitted to striking Mr Hughes in the back and neck seven times with a seven centimetre flick knife, before also punching and stabbing the man’s father - 78-year-old Phillip Hughes - in the abdomen.

Kyle Burkett was labelled the “principal” offender in the home invasion. Picture Facebook

Police facts stated Burkett Sr also rushed upstairs and became involved in a fight in a bid to come to his son’s aid during a scuffle.

The trio then fled the premise with a purse and car keys.

The court heard Burkett Jr was just trying to get his friend out of the house, and did not go to the home with the intentions of robbing anyone, as highlighted in a series of text messages between the pair.

“There is an element of trying to be a good samaritan,” Burkett Jr’s defence barrister Matt Breeze told the court.

“He felt responsible for what happened to Ms Bowater.”

But those text messages also revealed Burkett Jr made reference to “bash” the victim, taking his car and stated he was going to “f**k this c**t up”.

The court heard there were also discussions about whether there were any guns, weapons or cash in the house before the three men would arrive.

Burkett Jr pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated enter dwelling knowing people were there and two counts of reckless wounding.

Burkett Sr pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated enter dwelling knowing people were there and a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company of others.

Mark Burkett, of Gosford, was jailed for his involvement. Credit: Facebook

Thomas and Bowater also both pleaded guilty to aggravated enter dwelling knowing people were there.

The court heard Burkett Jr — who was on parole at the time of the offence — struggled with an ice addiction and had suffered a traumatic childhood where his father was in jail for most of his life, while Bowater also wasn’t “thinking clearly” due to heavy drinking problems and smoking cannabis.

In giving evidence, Thomas told of being the victim of a stabbing incident at 23 which also led him to ice addiction before the offending and was deeply regretful for his actions.

Burkett Sr also spoke to the court about his tainted criminal past, constant drug use and stints in and out of jail.

“I’m sorry for what I have done, I have done the wrong thing,” he said.

Judge Williams acknowledged claims the other three involved did not know Burkett Jr had brought a knife with him.

He said in what would have been a “terrifying experience”, the 23-year-old’s role was more serious, involved in planning and confronting both victims.

“When faced with how to handle this situation, he turned to the only thing he knew, the criminal option,” Judge Williams said.

Burkett Jr was sentenced to three years and six months jail with a non-parole period of two years.

Burkett Sr was jailed for two years and six months with a non-parole period of 16 months, while Bowater was sentenced to two years, three months jail with a non-parole period of 15 months.

Judge Williams ordered an sentencing assessment report for Thomas and his matter was adjourned until December.