Kempton township rallies around victims of home invasion after ‘terrifying’ aggravated robbery

A man has pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated robbery in relation to an early morning break-in at an elderly couple’s home.

A MAN charged in relation to a break-in at a home in Kempton has pleaded not guilty to aggravated robbery.

It is alleged Matthew Richard Law and another man broke into the home at 4.30am on March 20, confronting a sleeping 74-year-old man and a 60-year-old woman before demanding the takings of the local post office, which the couple ran.

Tasmania Police previously alleged the offenders used force to detain the occupants before leading them to where the money was being kept. They then left with a substantial sum of cash. It prompted a manhunt and the second man is still wanted.

In the Hobart Magistrates Court on Thursday, Mr Law pleaded not guilty to two charges of aggravated robbery. He will stand trial in the Supreme Court of Tasmania and will appear on June 7.

Separate charges arising from the same incident of burglary, aggravated burglary, stealing, possessing a controlled drug and breach of bail were adjourned. He was remanded in custody.

Township rallies around victims of ‘terrifying’ robbery

A BRAZEN early morning alleged aggravated robbery of a home and adjoining business at Kempton has been labelled callous by police, with the incident leaving the victims terrified and the local community in shock.

Two men allegedly broke into the home about 4.30am, confronting the occupants — a 74-year-old man and his 60-year-old wife as they slept — and demanding the takings from the local post office nearby, which the couple run.

The offenders allegedly used force to detain the occupants, before leading them to where the money was being kept, then fleeing with a substantial sum of cash.

It prompted a manhunt, with police appealing for witnesses who may have seen an early model Toyota HiLux with a canopy in the vicinity of Kempton at that time.

They are also seeking any CCTV footage from those in the area, or dashcam footage from travellers travelling on the Midland Highway near Kempton.

Southern Midlands Mayor Alex Green said the community would come together to offer the couple support.

“In a small community it is very alarming ... it is a dreadful event, it really is. Just shocking,’’ he said.

“We’re obviously concerned for their wellbeing, and we’ll do everything we can to help them through this.”

Cr Green said the couple had run the business for about a decade and were well-known and highly regarded community members.

Police said the men were wearing face coverings, revealing their eyes only.

One of the men is described as wearing a grey hoodie and grey pants, and was possibly aged about 30 and about 172cm tall.

The second man was taller and was wearing a grey hoodie.

Anyone with information should contact their local police station or phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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