William Scriven sentenced to 12 years’ jail after violent bashing for drugs and money

William Scriven has been jailed for 12 years after he violently beat his victim with a hammer – demanding drugs and cash while dressed as a fake police officer.

William James Scriven, who dressed as a police officer during a violent home invasion, was sentenced to 12 years’ prison. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

Two men dressed as police officers broke into a home and beat their sleeping victims with a hammer so violently that first responders thought they were dead.

William James Scriven, 44, had been out of jail for weeks when he and his co-accused Daniel Thomas broke into a home in Lilydale to steal drugs and money.

Believing they were real police, the two men inside handed over their ice and cannabis before they were beaten with a hammer as the offenders demanded more drugs.

“This is a police raid. Get on the floor, face down. Where are your drugs,” Scriven and Thomas yelled as they entered the unlocked front door.

The Mitchell Road home which was broken into in July 2016. Picture: Hamish Blair

Scriven was on Thursday jailed for 12 years and nine months over the brutal home invasion that left his victims with life-threatening injuries including stab wounds and fractured skulls and ribs.

Blood was sprayed onto the walls and ceilings and the first police on scene began taking photos initially believing the unconscious victims were dead.

One of the men began moving before they were rushed to hospital.

In his sentencing remarks, Supreme Court Justice Christoper Beale said the “extreme violence” perpetrated by Scriven and Thomas had a devastating impact on the victims including post-traumatic stress disorder.

“This was extreme violence carried out in company in someone’s home and has had a profound and enduring impact on the victims,” he said.

Both men submitted victim impact statements describing how they were now recluses, and Justice Beale said it was unlikely either would work again.

Scriven was arrested and charged with two counts of attempted murder three months after the July 2016 home invasion.

His first trial was aborted when he withdrew legal instructions, with Justice Beale noting the “chopping and changing” of his lawyers was a regular occurrence.

Forensic police search surrounding streets after the home invasion. Picture: Hamish Blair

Scriven allegedly instructed an associate provide a false alibi and threaten or coerce witnesses resulting in his prison cell being searched and electronic devices seized.

His case was further delayed due to Covid before Scriven pleaded guilty in September last year to downgraded charges of aggravated burglary, intentionally causing serious injury in circumstances of gross violence and theft — nearly six years after his arrest.

In a letter to the court, Scriven said he had tried to “lie (his) way out of responsibility” and he was remorseful for his offending.

He also wished his victims the best of luck, adding he was deeply ashamed of what he had done and had since reconnected with his Christian faith.

But Justice Beale said he wasn’t convinced Scriven was actually remorseful, noting the dragging out of his case for years gave doubt to his contrition.

The court heard Scriven had a violent upbringing and he was kicked out of home as a teenager before he fell into drugs including heroin.

He had been out of jail for less than three weeks and was on a community order at the time of the home invasion.

Scriven had served multiple sentences for assaults, robberies and thefts and bashing another prisoner while waiting for his trial.

He also spent two years on remand for a murder he was later acquitted of.

Scriven’s co-offender Thomas was jailed for 11½ years in 2019 after he pleaded guilty to the same charges in addition to threatening the police officers who arrested him.

Scriven, who has spent more than four years on remand, must serve 10 years of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.