Altona man James Powell charged over break-in at Asher Keddie, Vincent Fantauzzo’s St Kilda home

The man who was tackled by Asher Keddie’s husband after allegedly breaking into the couple’s St Kilda home has told a court he suffered a cracked eye socket during the ordeal.

Actor Asher Keddie with her husband, artist Vincent Fantauzzo. Picture: Monique Harmer

A man accused of breaking into the home of acclaimed actor Asher Keddie before he was tackled by her husband Vincent Fantauzzo plans to fight the charges against him.

The Herald Sun last week revealed how Fantauzzo, an award-winning artist, overpowered a man in the driveway of their St Kilda home as he allegedly tried to steal one of his prized motorbikes.

James Powell, 44, from Altona, faced the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday after he was charged with aggravated burglary and theft of a motor vehicle.

The scuffle between Fantauzzo and the alleged intruder on December 28 had been described as a “brutal take-down” by a passer-by, who helped the artist restrain the man until police arrived.

Mr Powell, who appeared via video link from Ravenhall Correctional Centre, told the court he suffered a “cracked” eye socket when he was “arrested”.

It remains unclear if Mr Powell alleges Fantauzzo, the passer-by or a police officer caused his injury.

Vincent Fantauzzo, pictured with wife Asher Keddie, overpowered the man as he allegedly tried to steal one of his prized motorbikes. Picture: Getty

Police allege Mr Powell stole the keys to the $40,000 Italian-made Ducati Scrambler from inside the home after gaining entry through a back door.

Keddie is believed to have alerted Fantauzzo after seeing a man allegedly trying to steal the motorbike from their property.

Mr Powell was transported to hospital under police guard, where he is believed to have remained for nine days.

His defence lawyer Caitlin Blakeney told Magistrate Abigail Burchill the matter had “not resolved” after a case conference with the prosecution earlier in the morning.

Ms Burchill told Mr Powell his case would return to court for a contest mention because his lawyer had indicated he was “pleading not guilty”.

He has also been charged with burglary, trespass and unlawful assault.

Fantauzzo is a Ducati aficionado.

Neither Keddie nor Fantauzzo wished to comment about the terrifying ordeal.

Fantauzzo, who has won the Archibald Prize People’s Choice Award more times than any other artist, is due to release his new book in March.

The couple met in 2012 when he asked to paint her portrait.

They married in 2014 and share a son named Valentino, who was born the following year. Fantauzzo has a son, Luca, from a previous marriage.

Keddie is one of Australia’s best known actors, winning a Gold Logie for her iconic role in Offspring and the Most Popular Actress Logie five times in a row between 2011 and 2015.

Mr Powell will return to court on March 4.