Werribee: Bodie Henningsen sentenced over Christmas Day “cartel” threat

An angry brother threatened to have his teenage sister murdered by “the cartel” after Christmas went horribly wrong at a Werribee home.

A Boronia man threatened to have his teenage sister murdered by “the cartel” on Christmas Day, a court has heard.

Bodie Henningsen, 23, was sentenced to a two year good behaviour order in Werribee Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday over his involvement in the “chilling incident”.

The court heard Henningsen had been staying with his parents during Victoria’s Christmas lockdown and tensions were running high.

Prosecutor, leading Senior Constable Kate Neilsen said Henningsen threw his nephew in a pool about 3.30pm causing the child to scream which led to an altercation with his sister and mum.

He threatened to smash his 16-year-old sister’s head against the wall, pulled his mother by the hair and punched the window of a car.

“The cartel already has your phone number and address,” Henningsen told his sister.

“When the cops come they‘ll need a body bag.”

Police also reported him saying: “By the time you‘re 50 I’ll have you buried.”

Henningsen handed himself into police the following day, saying they had a “screaming match” but he couldn’t recall the details and was charged with making threats to seriously harm, making threats to damage property and unlawful assault.

Magistrate Kimberley Swadesir said his actions were “distressing”.

“In terms of the threats, It’s just chilling. I can‘t imagine how your mum must have felt hearing those words from your mouth,” she said.

“Family life is difficult. Christmas is difficult and adding alcohol into the mix … your behaviour is totally unacceptable.”

Ms Swadesir took into account his young age, early plea of guilty, lack of record and a letter from his mum saying he had worked hard to repair their relationship.

“I guess she’s a mum, she’ll always love you and wants you to be a better man,” she said.