Man denies trying to murder ex-landlady

A day after attacking his former landlady with a tyre lever, an Opotiki man asked for her forgiveness, the High Court at Rotorua was told yesterday.

Ronald Kevin Williams, 56, has denied attempting to murder Susan Green at her Kuturere home, 17km southwest of Opotiki, on July 4.

He has also pleaded not guilty to an alternative charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Crown solicitor Greg Hollister-Jones told the court Williams rented a flat from Mrs Green, adjacent to her house, and had lived there since April last year.

Problems developed when Williams wanted a relationship with her but she did not reciprocate. She gave him notice to leave in February but he would not go and in June was served with a trespass notice.

On July 4, Mrs Green was cleaning the flat when she heard someone reverse a car at speed up her driveway.

Williams got out of the car and when she tried to question why he was there, he said he had permission.

Mrs Green was frightened and went inside the flat. As she went to pick up a bucket, Williams struck her from behind several times with a tyre lever.

She fell to the floor, where Williams hit her again.

He sat on top of her, hitting her twice on the face with the tyre lever and holding it against her throat saying: "Jehovah has told me to kill you".

Williams repeatedly punched her saying "die you bitch", before slamming her head several times against the concrete floor.

Mrs Green felt as if she was choking in her blood and thought she was going to die.

She suffered bruising and cuts to her head, face and neck and was in hospital nine days.

About five hours after the attack, police went to Mrs Green's house and found Williams sitting on a couch "staring into space".

He denied hitting or trying to choke her.

However, the next day he told police he was deeply remorseful for what he had done and asked for forgiveness from "Jehovah and Sue".

The trial continues today.

- DAILY POST