Rawlin Laile: Berwick man bashed, robbed in terrifying late night burglary
A New Zealand national is facing deportation after targeting a Berwick man in a horrifying aggravated burglary.
South East
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A group of savage thugs bashed and robbed a Berwick man during a terrifying late night burglary, a court has heard.
New Zealand national Rawlin Laile, 27, fronted the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday following the horrifying hit which left the victim bloodied and bruised.
The court was told Laile, who was known to his victim, was with the man at his Hillman Ct property before Laile’s girlfriend and her friend arrived on April 6.
The women lured the victim out of his house and into a taxi just before 6pm, convincing him they needed help sorting out a dispute with a family member.
Instead of driving away separately, Laile pretended to leave, before returning and ransacking the property with three unknown men.
They stole a television, washing machine and memorabilia valued at $3500 before making a failed attempt at cracking the victim’s safe open, the court heard.
The victim had returned and was inside the property when one of Laile’s co-accused knocked on the door just before 3am the next day.
The man said he’d been “dumped” outside and needed to organise a lift home, Magistrate Kate Hawkins heard.
Just 30 seconds later, Laile and more thugs burst through the door.
One crim hit the victim over his head before another tried to strangle him with his hooded jumper.
Armed with a crowbar, Laile again tried to force open the safe without success.
A neighbour called police but the victim refused treatment for his busted lip and cut on his head.
Police seized Laile’s girlfriend’s car on April 8, uncovering a mobile phone inside which contained internet searches on how to cut open a safe.
Deleted notes on the phone also contained written plans to lure the victim from his house and steal from him.
Laile was arrested at Doveton but denied his involvement in the incidents.
Lawyer Chris Oldham said his client, who has spent 224 days in custody, was at risk of having his special condition visa cancelled if he was jailed for more than 12 months.
Laile, who has no criminal history, faces charges including aggravated burglary, theft, entering a building with intent to steal and driving while pursued by police.
He will return on December 7.