Victim speaks on life-changing impact of tomahawk armed robbery in his own home

A court has heard how a terrified Lenah Valley resident had his life turned upside-down following a home invasion. Here’s what happened in court.

Wade Allen Mackenzie pleaded guilty to using a tomahawk during an armed robbery at Lenah Valley in 2023. Picture: Facebook

A Lenah Valley homeowner has stared down the man who used a tomahawk during a 2023 robbery, telling a Hobart court he feels “tainted” by the incident.

Wade Allen Mackenzie, 35, pleaded guilty only yesterday to one count of aggravated burglary and one count of aggravated armed robbery in the Supreme Court of Tasmania.

His accomplice Cassandra Anne Fisher, 23, also entered a late guilty plea yesterday to one count of aggravated burglary.

Wade Allen Mackenzie pleaded guilty to using a tomahawk during an armed robbery at Lenah Valley in 2023. Picture: Facebook

The pair were due to stand trial before Justice Stephen Estcourt on Wednesday, but entered a plea to move the matter to sentencing submissions which occurred on Thursday morning.

A Lenah Valley homeowner read his victim impact statement to the court, stating it was “really stressful and frightening” to find Mr Mackenzie inside of his home.

“I’ve never had to defend myself in my own home,” he said.

“I no longer like being around other people or out in public.

“The whole incident has been a huge turning point in my life.”

– GENEVIEVE HOLDING

Tomahawk armed robber enters last-minute plea before trial

INITIAL: A Tasmanian man who armed himself with a tomahawk before robbing a Lenah Valley resident of cash, high-end power tools, and laptop computer has been remanded in custody after entering a last-minute guilty plea.

Wade Allen Mackenzie pleaded guilty to using a tomahawk during an armed robbery at Lenah Valley in 2023. Picture: Facebook

Wade Alan Mackenzie was due to face a jury trial in the Supreme Court on Wednesday morning, when he formally admitted to one count of aggravated burglary, and one count of aggravated armed robbery, over an incident in Lenah Valley on 9 April 2023.

Accomplice Cassandra Anne Fisher, who was to be tried alongside Mackenzie for her role in the robbery, also made a late guilty plea to one count of aggravated burglary.

Fisher then pleaded not guilty to one count of aggravated armed robbery, but guilty to the lesser charge of aggravated robbery.

The pair was remanded in custody by Justice Stephen Estcourt, to reappear before his honour on Thursday for sentencing submissions.

– DUNCAN ABEY