Trewin Gow pleads guilty to Ballarat home invasion

A concreter repeatedly punched a police officer before threatening to stab him after attempting to flee from a high-speed chase over a home invasion.

Trewin Gow pleaded guilty to a Ballarat home invasion. File picture.

A concreter repeatedly punched a police officer to the ribs before threatening to stab him after attempting to flee from a high-speed chase over a violent home invasion.

Trewin Gow, 27, and two co-accused invaded a Mount Helen home on the night of December 19, 2019.

The victim who had previously worked with Gow, had just finished showering about 11pm when he heard a knock on the front door and opened it to the three men who then walked into his house.

One of the three men had run outside with the victim’s car keys, who then chased after the intruder, before running back inside his house and locking the door behind him.

The three men broke through the front door, before Gow and one other began hitting and punching their victim, also assaulting him with the glass beer bottle in his hand.

The fighting continued when the attackers entered the bedroom belonging to the victim’s daughter, who was not home at the time.

The County Court heard Gow along with the two other men were joined by a third, who had been waiting in another car in the driveway, fled the home after stealing the victim’s car, ramming another out of the way to escape.

They led police on a high speed chase which ended in Sebastopol.

As the car slowed, Gow jumped from it and ran into a property while being chased by a police officer.

As he attempted to jump the fence in the backyard, Gow turned to face the officer who had caught up to him and began punching him to the ribs before telling him “I’ve got a knife c***,” and “I’ll stab you c***.”

The court heard before the officer could draw his gun, he was punched in the torso by Gow who yelled “I’ve f****** stabbed you”.

Gow who was tackled to the ground by the officer in a horse paddock after attempting to flee from the fight, continued to punch him in the face.

Prosecutor Temple Saville said the officer did not have stab wounds, but was taken to hospital with soreness to his torso, nausea, scratches and breathing difficulties.

Gow’s other victim had suffered a broken cheekbone among other facial lacerations and swelling.

The court heard a knife had been found by police the next morning, where the fight had taken place.

Gow pleaded guilty to four charges including one count each of home invasion and make threat to inflict serious injury when he faced the County Court via video link from prison.

Defence barrister Daniel McGlone said his client had a supportive upbringing with many opportunities but had struggled with a drug addiction, mainly meth, from the age of 20.

Mr McGlone said Gow was remorseful for his behaviour which he regarded as “disgraceful” and in the lead up to the offending had not slept for days as a result of his drug use.

He was supported by his mother Lorell Gow in court, who gave evidence via video link.

She said her son had developed a paranoia over a period of years and appeared to hallucinate, having suggested he seek treatment to address his “underlying issues”.

Gow will be sentenced in February.