John Livesley: Rapid Creek pensioner says he would have shot at invaders if he still had gun

With the rate of home break-ins in Darwin up almost 44 per cent, a recent victim, who shudders at the thought of ‘animals’ just centimetres from he and his sleeping wife, warns a wave of vigilantism is about to break.

Rapid Creek retiree John Livesley, 82, who says he is the victim of a recent home invasion and additional attempted home invasion, warns of an unstoppable wave of vigilantism if the NT Government does not get on top of our crime woes. Picture: Alex Treacy

A Darwin retiree says he feels fear, revulsion, and a white-hot anger after brazen home invaders let themselves into the bedroom he shares with his wife and helped themselves to cash, keys and a credit card.

Rapid Creek man John Livesley, 82, told the NT News his wife, also aged 82, has been so traumatised by last Wednesday’s home invasion – a further attempt was also made on Friday – that he has put her on a plane to Adelaide to spend a week with her sister.

“The psychological and emotional damage it has done to my wife is incredible,” he said.

“She’s been wrecked by whole thing, the idea of someone creeping around in your bedroom.

“Logic tells us that these animals are prepared to be violent if discovered. And at 82, that’s not a good feeling.”

Mr Livesley said the thief or thieves would have been just centimetres away from he and his wife, as their wallets and bedside tables were plundered of $500 cash, a set of car keys, a credit card, and a bluetooth speaker.

The pair’s vehicle was not taken. The stolen keys were discovered by police within an unrelated stolen vehicle at Karama on Friday, Mr Livesley said.

Rapid Creek retiree John Livesley, 82, who says he is the victim of a recent home invasion and additional attempted home invasion, warns of an unstoppable wave of vigilantism if the NT Government does not get on top of our crime woes. Picture: Alex Treacy

A further attempt was made to breach the retirees’ home, their sanctuary, on Friday night – however, this time the couple was prepared.

Saucepan lids placed against the entry points, acting as makeshift alarms, alerted them to their nightmare’s sequel.

Mr Livesley said when he ran to his second-floor balcony, he witnessed two people “laden with bags of stuff running up to a car,” while a third person ran from the other side of Casuarina Drive, near the intersection of Nightcliff Rd, and the group decamped.

“I wish I had kept my gun instead of being a good citizen and handing it in,” Mr Livesley said.

“If I’d had a weapon I would have fired it, for sure, although I wouldn’t have hit them.

“I’ve spoken to a lot of my friends and they’re all saying the same thing.

“The police chief [Commissioner Michael Murphy] can rave about vigilante groups, but if they don’t stop these guys, it’s not going to work.

“In my view, the judicial arm of government, as represented by our attorney-general, has allowed the contract between government and citizens to be broken.

“The only response will be that citizens will take the defence of their lives and property into their own hands and rightly so.”

According to NT Police’s Darwin crime statistics database, in the 12 months to December 12, 2023, the city saw a 43.83 per cent year-on-year rise in the number of house break-ins.

An NT Police spokeswoman said she was unable to comment on the home invasion and attempted home invasion alleged by Mr Livesley, but confirmed a stolen set of keys were discovered within an abandoned stolen vehicle by Strike Force Trident and returned to their owner.