A bikie gang president involved in a "ferocious" leg-breaking attack paid his victim a visit in hospital days later and asked him to recant his incriminating statement, a court has heard.
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David Micheal Evans, 33, and Canberra Satudarah boss Dean Stephen Reid, 30, fronted the ACT Supreme Court on Friday for a sentence hearing.
Both men have admitted to their roles in a savage Oaks Estate attack on January 10, 2019, which prosecutors have described as a "home invasion". The court previously heard 57-year-old Sharon Stott recruited Reid and Evans, along with two other men, to retrieve a gun from the house.
The court on Friday heard Evans and Reid were let into the property, before Reid disarmed the victim, who was holding a knife. Reid held the weapon to the man's throat while he was on the ground, and Evans repeatedly bashed the man's leg with an electric guitar.
Reid is facing a term of imprisonment for aggravated robbery, attempting to pervert the course of justice, and taking a motor vehicle without consent. Evans is up on an aggravated robbery charge.
In a victim impact statement read aloud in court, the Oaks Estate resident said the first thing that came to his mind when he recalled the attack was the pain in his leg.
"[It was] the most intense pain I've ever felt ... I wanted to die right then," the victim said in the statement.
"I could feel the bone breaking through the skin as David hit me [with the guitar].
"I was helpless as [his co-accused] ransacked my home."
Prosecutor Keegan Lee said the victim was vulnerable when he was attacked: "[This] was a ferocious attack on a vulnerable man who was lying on the floor of his own home with a knife to his throat."
The court heard Evans picked up a speaker box and dropped it on the victim after beating him with the guitar. Justice Chrissa Loukas-Karlsson described the victim's experience as "harrowing".
"There is no question what a horrific experience this was," she said.
"I think everybody in this court room wants to feel safe in their own home."
The court heard that days after the attack, the victim was "relaxed" and on pain medication when Reid walked into his hospital room like it was nothing. Mr Lee said the victim was "helpless" and "suffering serious injuries" at the time.
Reid offered to give the man back his son's car, which his co-accused stole, in exchange for him withdrawing his evidence. In his victim impact statement, the man said he agreed "out of fear".
Justice Loukas-Karlsson said Reid's attempt to pervert the court of justice was an offence that "strikes at the heart" of the system.
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Defence lawyer, Tim Sharman, said while Reid's crimes were "a gross overreaction" to the victim possessing a knife, they were committed in a context "where things got out of control".
He submitted Justice Loukas-Karlsson should consider that Reid has some prospects of rehabilitation.
Defence barrister Jason Moffett argued methylamphetamine had a "tragic" impact on Evans' life. In response to suggestions Evans was a bikie gang associate, Mr Moffett said there was no evidence before the court to prove it.
Evans and Reid are due to be sentenced on April 30.
Cassandra Morgan
It has never been more important for Canberrans to be able to access reliable and accurate information about health. As The Canberra Times’ health reporter, I am committed to ensuring our readers have access to this. I, like many in the territory, have family members who work in the sector. Although providing comprehensive coverage on the coronavirus pandemic is obviously my number one priority, I aim to frequently shed light on the fantastic work our frontline professionals do, as well as the challenges they face. Email me tips and story ideas at: c.morgan@canberratimes.com.au.
It has never been more important for Canberrans to be able to access reliable and accurate information about health. As The Canberra Times’ health reporter, I am committed to ensuring our readers have access to this. I, like many in the territory, have family members who work in the sector. Although providing comprehensive coverage on the coronavirus pandemic is obviously my number one priority, I aim to frequently shed light on the fantastic work our frontline professionals do, as well as the challenges they face. Email me tips and story ideas at: c.morgan@canberratimes.com.au.
