Thomas Stapleton-Wescott faces District Court for start of axe attack attempted murder trial

Two housemates were left fighting for life and surrounded by a pool of their own blood after an enraged man allegedly attacked them with an axe following a property dispute, a court has heard.

Two middle-aged northern suburbs housemates were allegedly “left for dead” by a grieving son mourning the death of his father – frustrated over a dispute in regard to his late dad’s belongings, a court has heard.

Thomas Stapleton-Wescott, 34, appeared in the District Court on Tuesday in front of The Honourable Justice David Lovell for the start of his judge-alone trial, following an alleged axe attack in April 2023, which left two people fighting for life and surrounded by a “pool” of their own blood. He has pleaded not guilty to two counts of attempted murder and two counts of aggravated cause serious harm.

Prosecutor Melissa Wilkinson told the court a number of verbal disputes had taken place in the days leading up to the alleged assault, with Mr Stapleton-Wescott “displeased to say the least” after being denied access to his dad’s caravan, which was situated in the driveway of the victim’s home.

“(It) was the catalyst for what occurred the following night when, on his motorbike and disguised by his helmet, the accused returned to the scene of his father’s death,” Ms Wilkinson said.

“Housemates Neil Sieben and Antionette Macskimming (from Smithfield Plains) were found bloodied and injured in their home by their neighbour.

Thomas Stapleton-Wescott has appeared in the District Court for the start of his double attempted murder trial. Picture: Facebook

“About 19 hours earlier … The accused had entered their home armed with a weapon – likely a small axe or a hatchet – and struck both Mr Sieben and Ms Mackskimming with significant force to their heads.”

At the time of the incident, witnesses said there was “that much blood” on the floor of the alleged crime scene that “it was like a slaughterhouse”.

In November last year, a court heard Mr Stapleton-Wescott – together with his girlfriend – hired a complete stranger, over Gumtree, to live in a house and pretend to be his niece so he could secure home detention bail.

On Tuesday, Ms Wilkinson further alleged Mr Stapleton-Wescott’s brother called him the day after the alleged attack to say he had visited the victim’s house to try and talk to them, but no one came to the door.

“The accused replied something like: ‘you know they are in the house, they are covered in blood and they’re not moving’,” she said.

Ms Wilkinson alleged that just 42 seconds after the phone call ended, Mr Stapleton-Westcott’s brother called the Elizabeth police station and asked them to do a welfare check at Mr Sieben and Ms Mackskimming’s address. Mr Stapleton-Wescott was then arrested later that day.

The trial continues.

Originally published as Thomas Stapleton-Wescott faces District Court for start of axe attack attempted murder trial