An Illawarra woman has admitted violently robbing an elderly retiree who opened his house to her in friendship.
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Melinda Skillen was a regular visitor to the 82-year-old’s Warilla home and he had at times given her food and money when she’d run out – an act she repaid by breaking into his house and threatening to kill him if he didn’t hand over $2000.
Police documents tendered to Wollongong Local Court reveal Skillen’s partner confronted the victim about three weeks before the October 2017 robbery and threatened to burn the older man’s house down if he found Skillen at the premises again.
Skillen went to the house two weeks later to collect some belongings, at which time she and the victim got into an argument and the victim told her she was no longer welcome at his home.
Court documents said the victim was getting ready for bed on the evening of October 28 when Skillen knocked on his bedroom window, wanting to be let inside.
When the man refused, Skillen began angrily banging on the front door and threatening to kill him.
The victim called a relative for help and leaned against the door in an attempt to barricade it however it eventually gave way and flew off its hinges, causing the victim to stumble backwards.
Skillen went to the victim’s bedroom looking for cahs.
“I want $2,000 or you get killed,” she said.
When the victim said he didn’t have that type of money, Skillen ransacked his bedside table and took $40. She then threatened to kill his family because the money “wasn’t enough”.
Meantime, the victim’s granddaughter arrived at the house and upon seeing Skillen in the hallway, grabbed her by the hair and hit her.
Skillen eventually broke free and fled the house.
The man reported the incident to authorities and Skillen was arrested in December after evading police for more than a month.
Skillen was charged with aggravated break and enter, to which she pleaded guilty in court on Wednesday.
She will face Wollongong District Court next month for sentencing.