Dixon hostage tells of captivity

Antonie Ronnie Dixon

A man taken hostage by alleged murderer Antonie Ronnie Dixon told the jury today of his hours of captivity in his Flat Bush home.

Dixon, 36, has pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of Simonne Butler and Renee Gunbie at the home they shared in Pipiroa, on the Hauraki Plains, on January 21, 2003.

He also denies charges of murdering James Te Aute later that night, the attempted murder of two other people, shooting at a policeman, kidnapping and aggravated robbery.

Ian Miller told the jury in the High Court at Auckland that Dixon, wielding a home-made automatic firearm, burst into his home in Inchinnam Road in the early hours of January 22 2003.

His partner Karen Power managed to flee but Mr Miller was held for several hours at gunpoint.

Dixon was initially agitated and "hyper" and told Mr Miller things would get "messy" if he did not do as he was told.

"He indicated he had already killed someone that night, so he meant business," Mr Miller told prosecutor Richard Marchant.

Shortly after Dixon arrived Mr Miller ironically received a call from the police to warn of a fugitive in the area.

"I indicated that the fugitive wasn't on the loose, he was already with me," Mr Miller said.

Mr Miller told of many conversations during the night between him and Dixon and Dixon and the police.

Dixon told the police negotiator he attacked the two girls with a samurai sword because one of them had been planted by the police.

Mr Miller said Dixon felt he had been double-crossed.

He talked about one of the girls having a homing device on her and being followed by a 747 jumbo aeroplane.

At one point Dixon indicated very strongly that he "wasn't going to see the light of day, one way or another."

He suggested to Mr Miller that both of them dress in identical clothing to make an escape using Mr Miller as a shield. But he later abandoned the idea.

"I said to Tony 'I don't like this idea. They are going to start shooting and I'm not ready to get shot yet.'"

Eventually Dixon relaxed and during the course of the night both men struck up a rapport.

At one point Mr Miller said he felt safe enough to simply leave the bedroom where they were.

"I said 'to hell with this, I'm going for a beer and if you want a drink you can follow me.'"

They went to the kitchen where Mr Miller had a beer and Dixon an orange juice.

During the night the police rang constantly and Mr Miller said he told the police negotiator he was fine.

Dixon became mellow and eventually allowed Mr Miller to leave the house telling him he was a good guy.

Mr Miller said he wanted Dixon to accompany him as he left.

"He indicated at that stage that he had not decided which way he was going to go and he needed time to think about it.

"I said 'see you mate' and walked out."

Mr Miller's evidence continued today at the trial in the High Court.

- Herald