Louise Bryson claims she was in fear of being a victim of violence herself, when she was convinced to belt an 75-year-old man in the head with a wooden plank.
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Both she and then partner Paul Branson have now pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary and intentionally causing injury over the assault – part of a plan to steal $140 to buy drugs.
Crown prosecutor Andrew Moore said the couple came up with a plan: Branson would sit and watch the football with Leo Duncan in his Wodonga home on April 15 last year and leave the door open, allowing Bryson to come inside.
“She went up behind Mr Duncan and hit him two or three times in the back of the head, causing him to fall off his chair,” he told Wodonga County Court this week.
“The attack has an undisputed level of brutality … a crude and violent plan to get some money, played out in front of the television while the football was on.”
Branson kept watching the football as the victim called out for help, then when Bryson ran away, he stole the wallet from his pocket.
Mr Duncan was left needing 25 stitches to his head and a cast on his broken hand.
“It is really unknown the motivation of each of the accused … probably they both wanted money for drugs and decided as a team to attack the unsuspecting Mr Duncan,” Mr Moore said.
Bryson told police she committed the assault because Branson threatened her with violence, and her barrister used this as part of her defence, arguing the 40-year-old should not serve any more jail time than the 115 days spent on remand.
Mr Moore said a jail term of more than 12 months was necessary, even if she was remorseful and co-operative.
The court heard it was Bryson who told police about the involvement of Branson, who was originally just treated as a witness. She told the court she would give evidence against him, despite fears of retribution.
Branson appeared in court himself later that day and entered his own pleas of guilty – evidence against him will be heard on Monday.
A psychologist’s report revealed Bryson had a “complex trauma disorder”, involving post-traumatic stress disorder plus mental health and drug issues.
Judge Frank Gucciardo allowed Bryson to remain free on bail while the case was adjourned for him to consider her sentence.
“There is no doubt what was inflicted was a significant injury on a person of a certain age,” he said.
