Man threatened to kill ex’s child, court hears

A WAURN Ponds man who allegedly imprisoned his exgirlfriend for five hours, threatened to put a knife into her neck and head and kill her family has faced trial.

Vince Saraceno was 11 years older than his 18-yearold victim when he allegedly held her at knifepoint at his home, allegedly forced her to consume drugs, and allegedly held her head under water for 30 seconds.

It is alleged Mr Saraceno threw at the victim a pair of scissors that became lodged in her knee and allegedly held back her head and forcefully poured drugs into her mouth.

When she resisted he threatened to put a knife into her neck, the Geelong County Court heard on Friday.

Crown prosecutor Penny Thorp told the court Mr Saraceno allegedly used a knife to force his ex into his car near the Reading Cinemas at Waurn Ponds on March 31, 2018, a day after the woman ended the relationship.

“The accused threatened to kill (the victim’s) daughter and grandparents if she didn’t get in the car,” Ms Thorp said

She said when the victim began screaming in the car, Mr Saraceno told her he would put a knife “through her head” and “leave her tied to a tree in the bush to die”.

She said Mr Saraceno held her at knifepoint as he took her from his car into his home where another woman was inside.

Defence barrister Matthew Page said the victim was not telling the truth about the events of the night.

“If you find doubt in what (the victim) says you should find Mr Saraceno not guilty,” Mr Page told the jury.

He said the jury would have to decide if incidents described by the prosecution actually happened on the night.

“Your starting point is Mr Saraceno is an innocent man... unless the crown can satisfy you beyond reasonable doubt Mr Saraceno is guilty.”

Ms Thorp said the victim became dizzy and wasn’t able to walk straight as she bled from a wound from the scissors.

“(He) held a knife to her head and told her he would kill her because she had bled on the couch,” Ms Thorp said of Mr Saraceno’s alleged actions.

The court was told Mr Saraceno allegedly kicked and punched the victim in the head and stomach.

Ms Thorp said Mr Saraceno eventually spoke to emergency services but forced the woman to write a note saying she needed medical assistance for mental health issues.

Mr Saraceno is also alleged to have used the victim’s mobile to text her grandad when he began to worry about her.

Ms Thorp said the victim pleaded with her family to leave their home at 3am on the morning after the incident because “its not safe”.

Mr Saraceno has pleaded not guilty to false imprisonment, intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing injury, making threats to kill, threatening to inflict serious injury, and reckless conduct endangering serious injury.

The trial before Judge Trevor Wraight continues.