A Manurewa man needed a 10-hour operation to repair his face after a "brutal and serious" home invasion, allegedly instigated by his jealous ex-wife, a court was told yesterday.
Patricia Mahutoto, aged 52, is one of four people on trial in the High Court at Auckland for the Labour Weekend aggravated burglary of her former husband, Robert Rogers, his partner, Lorraine McEwen, and her son, Rodney McEwen.
Christopher Hereora, 27, Peter Anaru Matehaere, 32, and Jay Maui Wallace, 27, are jointly charged with Mahutoto.
All four have also pleaded not guilty to charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm to Robert Rogers and Lorraine McEwen, and the aggravated robbery of a wallet and ring from Rodney McEwen.
Opening the crown case yesterday, prosecutor Mark Treleaven said attackers broke into Lorraine McEwen's unit shortly after midnight on October 23 last year believing Mr Rogers had a suitcase beside his bed containing $40,000 in cash.
The money never existed, Mr Treleaven told the jury, and the "brutal and serious" raid had been initiated by Mahutoto as revenge for Mr Rogers' behaviour towards her and jealousy about his new relationship with Lorraine McEwen.
Mr Rogers was in hospital for a month after the attack.
Lorraine McEwen was also beaten and required facial surgery.
Mr Treleaven, who is presenting the crown case with Anne Kiernan, said another man, Illya Monty Waipouri, had earlier pleaded guilty and had been sentenced for his part in the attack.
While Mahutoto was not present on the night of the invasion, she had arranged the attack.
Evidence would be presented during the trial of Mahutoto telling Mr Rogers: "I am going to kill you and Lorraine," after he told her he did not want to see her again.
She also asked her daughter to find someone to break Mr Rogers' legs "for a thousand bucks."
In a brief opening statement, Mahutoto's lawyer, Allan Roberts, said his client denied any involvement in the attack, or responsibility for organising it.
Matehaere and Wallace, through their lawyers, Frank Hogan and Dr John Priestly, QC, also denied any involvement in the attack.
Hereora's lawyer, Komene Jones, said his client was present as a lookout for a burglary, but had no involvement in the attack on people in the flat.
The trial, before Justice Susan Glazebrook and 11 jurors, continues today and is expected to run for two weeks.
Justice Glazebrook discharged a twelfth juror early yesterday afternoon, but an explanation for the discharge was not given in open court.
Court hears of repairs to face
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