TWO men convicted over a vicious home invasion in Frankston in July last year have been given jail terms of eight and five years – sentences regarded as “appropriate” by detectives.
Christopher Russell, 27, and Nicholas Kiezenberg, 32, both of Langwarrin, were arrested after an aggravated burglary at a Queens St house in the early hours and assaulting a man not known to them. In the struggle, the man was struck to the head with an iron bar and received a fractured skull.
Detective Senior Constable Mark Garrett, of Frankston CIU, said the motive for the crime was simply to assault – not rob – the victim.
The attackers were arrested the next day in Langwarrin and both were initially remanded to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court for a committal hearing in March this year. Mr Russell was also charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice after he attempted to interfere with witnesses.
Both men pleaded guilty to the charges. Mr Russell was sentenced to eight years jail with a non-parole period of five years and nine months. Mr Kiezenberg was sentenced to five years and six months jail with a non-parole period of three years and three months.
A woman who accompanied the men on the raid, but who pleaded not guilty to assault charges, was acquitted.
Detective Garrett said the victim, who has recovered from the fractured skull, was satisfied with the sentences.
“The sentences are appropriate given the violent nature of the incident in which the victim sustained an injury that had the potential to be life-threatening,” he said.
Police believe an appeal against the sentences is likely.
