Jeremy Adam Gilbey and his partner Melissa Jane Goodwin have been refused bail over an alleged burglary. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
It is alleged a hammer-wielding burglar and his partner invaded a Canberra home in an incident that left a woman with serious injuries which required hospitalisation.
Jeremy Adam Gilbey, 48, and Melissa Jane Goodwin, 40, pleaded not guilty to their charges from the allegations and were refused bail when they appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday (21 March).
The woman was inside her unit on Sunday afternoon (19 March) when she saw Goodwin outside, then heard her front door being smashed open, police allege in court documents.
It is alleged Gilbey walked in holding a hammer and raised it towards the woman before Goodwin yelled, “No, Jeremy, don’t”.
Gilbey allegedly put his hand across the woman’s throat, causing her to fall backwards onto the ground, then punched her in the eye.
The woman struggled to breathe and tried to bite his hand as she kicked him, police allege. It is also alleged Gilbey put his knee on her throat while she struggled to breathe.
Meanwhile, the woman allegedly heard the sound of coins jiggling around and heard Goodwin say, “It’s not here; it must be on her”.
It is alleged that while Gilbey was restraining the woman, Goodwin searched under her clothes.
The couple allegedly left after Gilbey threw the woman’s mobile phone into her face.
She walked outside and a neighbour called for help, then she was taken to the Canberra Hospital.
Police saw she had a large cut to her nose, bruising and swelling to both eyes, as well as red marks and scratches around her neck, while a doctor said her nose had a compound fracture that would require surgery.
Gilbey and Goodwin, who are from Oaks Estate, were arrested in Queanbeyan later that afternoon.
Both were handed charges of aggravated burglary. Gilbey’s other charges included possessing an offensive weapon with intent, assault and choking or suffocation, while Goodwin’s other charges were committing an act of indecency and minor theft.
When Goodwin applied for bail, the mother of three said she just wanted to get home to her two dogs, which she called “my boys”.
“I just want my dogs, to go home and start afresh,” she said.
When opposing bail, prosecutor Hannah Mitchell alleged the woman who lived in the unit had faced “quite a horrific” violent incident that resulted in her hospitalisation.
Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker said if Goodwin were convicted of the alleged burglary then she would likely face a jail sentence, which was a relevant consideration as she already had six convictions for failing to appear in court.
Bail was refused for both defendants. They were remanded in custody and the matters were adjourned to 2 May.
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