Bobby Medcraft murder trial day 5: Friend Luke Buckley takes stand

The barrister for one of five Tasmanians charged with murdering Bobby Medcraft has suggested a friend of the deceased started the fight because he liked his client’s girlfriend. LIVE UPDATES >>

Alleged Burnie murder victim Bobby William Medcraft, 23, pictured with his young son. Picture: Facebook

UPDATED 1.30PM: The barrister representing one of five Tasmanians charged with murdering a young Burnie dad has suggested the friend of the deceased who started the dispute between the two groups did so because he was interested in a defendant’s girlfriend.

Former West Ulverstone man Luke Buckley is continuing to give evidence in the murder trial of Bobby William Medcraft, 23, who died on March 29, 2020 after being struck to the leg with a sword.

Geoffrey James Deverell, 37, Kelsey Maree Ford, 24, her brother Lucas Shane Ford, 31, Michael William Hanlon, 54, and Cody Christopher Shane Sheehan, 33, have all pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Medcraft.

Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Buckley told the court he was “quite intoxicated” when he accidentally sent a social media message to Mr Ford, messages which soon spiralled into threats and abuse.

The dispute subsequently became predominantly between Mr Medcraft and Mr Ford, the court was previously told.

Former West Ulverstone man Luke Buckley, who gave evidence in the murder trial of Bobby Medcraft. Picture: Alex Treacy

Mr Sheehan’s defence counsel Greg Richardson suggested to Mr Buckley that he in fact sent a Snapchat message to Mr Ford saying, “What’s up, c***?” because he was romantically interested in Mr Ford’s girlfriend, Nicola Radford, also known as Nicola Cherry.

Mr Buckley conceded he knew of Ms Radford, but denied he found her attractive and was interested in her. Ms Radford will be called as a witness later in the trial

Mr Richardson suggested it was highly unlikely Mr Buckley accidentally messaged Mr Ford as opposed to his intended recipient, Jordan Fellows, as their ‘handles’ were nothing alike.

“It was bad luck,” Mr Buckley said.

“I know how it sounds but it’s the honest truth.”

Nicola Radford, also known as Nicola Cherry. Picture: Facebook

Under further cross-examination, Mr Buckley admitted taking a knife and “Nordic battle axe” to Mr Ford’s house, alongside Kayden Morrisson, Jake MacDonald and Mr Medcraft, with the intention of “bashing” him.

Upon discovering Mr Ford wasn’t home, the friends then went to Ms Ford’s house at 48 Thorne St, Acton, to find him.

Mr Buckley told the court he left the weapons in the vehicle during the Thorne St “confrontation” between the two parties, which he described as an “organised fight”.

Mr Buckley also conceded property was taken from Mr Ford’s address, including a Nintendo Switch and a skateboard. However, he denied entering Mr Ford’s residence and told the court he didn’t know who broke into Mr Ford’s.

EARLIER 11.30AM: A friend of a young Burnie dad who was allegedly murdered by five people has told a jury he was “pretty intoxicated” when he accidentally sent a social media message to one of the defendants which soon turned incendiary.

South Burnie man Bobby William Medcraft died on the morning of March 29, 2020, after the Crown alleges he was bashed by several men, before one of them struck him to the leg with a sharp sword.

Geoffrey James Deverell, 37, Kelsey Maree Ford, 24, her brother Lucas Shane Ford, 31, Michael William Hanlon, 54, and Cody Christopher Shane Sheehan, 33, have all pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Medcraft.

Their trial continued in Launceston Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Former West Ulverstone man Luke Buckley, a friend of Mr Medcraft’s, told the jury he meant to message a friend when he accidentally said to Mr Ford via Snapchat, “What’s up, c---?” about 11pm on March 28.

The messages soon turned incendiary and spilled over into audio calls and Facebook messages.

At one point, Mr Ford told Mr Buckley, “Lock your doors... You poor boy... Tick tock,” messages tendered to the court showed.

An audio message played to the court captured Mr Buckley telling Mr Ford, “Send me your address you weak dog”.

Mr Buckley also told Mr Ford, “All talk, no f---ing show,” at 1.35am on the morning in question, the court was told.

The Crown case is that, while the dispute started between Mr Buckley and Mr Ford, it primarily became between Mr Ford and Mr Medcraft via Mr Buckley’s “close friend”, Jake MacDonald.

The Ritchie Ave, Downlands house outside which South Burnie man Bobby William Medcraft, 23, was allegedly murdered. Picture: Google Street View

Mr MacDonald was with Mr Medcraft and the deceased’s friend Kayden Morrisson at the time he found out about the dispute.

Mr Morrisson, Mr Medcraft and Mr MacDonald drove to Mr Buckley’s West Ulverstone residence to pick him up, the court was told.

“We were going to Lucas Ford’s house... I assumed we were going there for a fight,” Mr Buckley, who said he had consumed a significant quantity of whisky on the night, told the jury.

When the trio discovered Mr Ford wasn’t home, they went to his sister’s house at 48 Thorne St, Acton.

Mr Buckley told the jury Mr Medcraft knocked on Ms Ford’s door, seeking her brother, and was informed he was “on his way”.

Alleged Burnie murder victim Bobby William Medcraft, 23. Picture: Facebook

The trial was previously told Mr Ford was drinking with Mr Hanlon and Mr Deverell at the time, and Mr Sheehan was also contacted to come to Thorne St.

Mr Buckley described the initial Thorne St “confrontation” between the parties, which occurred about 2am, as an “organised fight”.

Tasmania Police happened to drive past and separated the parties, the court previously heard, but the night was far from over.

Originally published as Bobby Medcraft murder trial day 5: Friend Luke Buckley takes stand