Chainsaw attack appeal of Lisa Anne Perryman delayed as lawyers raise ‘fresh evidence’

The appeal of a woman jailed after a jury found she played a role in a chainsaw attack on a neighbour has been delayed, after defence lawyers claimed they had “fresh evidence” in the case.

Lisa Anne Perryman. Picture: Facebook

The Supreme Court appeal of a Tasmanian woman jailed after a jury found she played a role in a chainsaw attack on a neighbour four years ago has been delayed, after defence lawyers claimed they had obtained “fresh evidence” in the case.

Lisa Anne Perryman, 56, was sentenced in July to three years’ imprisonment for two counts of committing an act intended to cause bodily harm, and one count of assault, following a violent night-time raid at Middleton in November 2020.

Perryman was alone found guilty of the crimes after her husband, Neville, who was also charged over the incident, died by suicide before the matter reached trial.

On Monday, Perryman appeared via videolink in the Supreme Court in Hobart, where defence counsel, Guy Abel, asked Justice Helen Wood for his client’s appeal to be adjourned after new information had come to light.

“We need to discuss the fresh evidence with my client and give her the appropriate advice,” Mr Abel said.

With Mr Abel’s request not opposed by prosecutors, Justice Wood adjourned the case until Monday 9 December for a directions hearing.

In sentencing Perryman to spend at least 18 months in jail before being eligible for parole, trial judge Stephen Estcourt said the attack had been preceded by ongoing tensions between the Perrymans and a neighbour over the couple’s dog.

Justice Estcourt said that after a night of drinking, the Perrymans drove to the next door property, set their dog onto the neighbour, and attacked him with an operating chainsaw.

Although Perryman was not accused of holding the chainsaw herself, the court heard she was jointly charged with her husband due to her active encouragement of him.

It also heard that the victim suffered significant injuries to his right hand, and dog bites to both feet, and legs.

Originally published as Chainsaw attack appeal of Lisa Anne Perryman delayed as lawyers raise ‘fresh evidence’