A man who brought a machete to a Wollongong fist fight, almost severing his opponent’s fingers, has pleaded guilty after the charge against him was downgraded from attempted murder.
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Jason Rees was captured on CCTV as he exchanged gestures and verbal threats with 49-year-old Michael Leiter in the cul-de-sac of a Corrimal Street unit complex the afternoon of March 5 last year.
It had been Rees’ idea, when they had scuffled inside one of the units a bit earlier, to “take this outside”. Mr Leiter was willing. “All right Nancy, let’s go,” he said.
It had been Rees’ idea, when they had scuffled inside one of the units a bit earlier, to 'take this outside'. Mr Leiter was willing. 'All right Nancy, let’s go,' he said.
Mr Leiter was trailing Rees when Rees produced a tomahawk and walked towards him, moving it from his left hand to his right as he came within striking distance.
The argument continued before Rees raised the weapon above his head and swung it down hard towards Mr Liether, who was struck on the hand as he attempted to evade the blow, causing a wound to three of his fingers.
Mr Leiter tried to run away but Rees chased him down and twice planted the tomahawk in his back.
Emergency services later found Mr Leiter collapsed on a Smith Street footpath with 10cm wounds to his back and shoulder.
Rees was poised to stand trial in Wollongong District Court on Monday, after pleading not guilty to a charge of wounding with intent to murder.
But after 11th-hour plea negotiations the charge was downgraded to one of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and Rees pleaded.
In an agreed statement of facts to be considered by Judge Andrew Haesler, police note Mr Leiter required treatment for multiple back lacerations involving skin, fat and muscle tissue.
He also required treatment to the tendons in his fingers.
Investigations led police to a woman’s Bank Street, Wollongong unit about 4.30 that afternoon.
Soon afterwards, they found Rees at the back of a property on Church Street. He was holding a large silver knife and tomahawk above his head.
He dropped both weapons when confronted by police, and was arrested.
Police later identified DNA matching that of Mr Leiter on the sleeve of a blue hooded jumper similar to that worn by Rees in the CCTV footage.
The woman, who allegedly traveled with Rees to the Corrimal Street address in a stolen car, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of accessory after the fact.
She is expected to face a judge-alone trial, before Judge Haesler, at Wollongong District Court on Tuesday.
Meantime, Rees’ matter will return to court July 24, when a date is expected to be fixed for sentence.
Angela Thompson
Proudly Illawarra Mercury since 2008; these days covering crime and justice issues. UOW alum. Thrilled by the chase and sobered by some of the things I see and hear when I stand still - sometimes in the same day. ang.thompson@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Proudly Illawarra Mercury since 2008; these days covering crime and justice issues. UOW alum. Thrilled by the chase and sobered by some of the things I see and hear when I stand still - sometimes in the same day. ang.thompson@austcommunitymedia.com.au
