Knives pulled in Pt Henry meet
Court told of threats to cut up man’s spine
TWO men allegedly lured another to the poorly lit and secluded Point Henry Pier, held him at knifepoint and threatened to “cut up his spine”, a court has been told.
Troy Sanders, 42, of Frankston, allegedly assisted his co-accused to threaten and assault a third man in the city centre of Geelong over claims that the victim had caused the co-accused’s relationship breakdown.
Mr Sanders, who has not yet entered a plea, appeared at the Geelong Magistrates Court on charges of carjacking in March and was granted bail.
Police said the co-accused, who is due in court at a later date, told the victim that Mr Sanders lived in Lara and would meet him at the ferris wheel in the city centre before the three planned to “catch up”.
Once they met, police altie
leged Mr Sanders and his coaccused told the victim to drive to the Point Henry Pier because it was “quieter” and they could “go for a walk”.
During this, the co-accused asked if he had “ever been with someone’s Mrs”.
When they returned to the car, Mr Sanders and the co-accused allegedly “flanked” the victim. Mr Sanders is accused of punching the victim.
When the victim ran to the front of the car, he was met with the co-accused, believed to be a Geelong man, who was allegedly holding a 40cm machete. The court was told the co-accused held this machete to the victim’s throat.
Police allege Mr Sanders threatened the victim, including assisting the co-accused in telling the victim they would “cut up the (victim’s) spine … him up and put him in the boot” of the car.
The co-accused allegedly told the man to get in the car or he would “hurt him”.
Once seated, the court heard Mr Sanders allegedly pulled out a knife and held it to the victim before demanding he hand over the keys to his vehicle.
The victim jumped from the car and ran for help. Although allegedly pursued by the co-accused for a short time, the man escaped without further harm.
Magistrate Simon Guthrie said he would grant bail “with some reluctance” given the exceptional circumstances threshold had not been met and the criminal history of the person Mr Sanders would be residing with.
“The bail conditions are particularly onerous and so they should be,” he said.
Mr Sanders will return to court on June 2.