Two brothers from Kingston have been convicted after a bizzare incident where one held a combat knife to an unsuspecting man’s neck, believing he had invaded their property.
Appearing at the Hobart Magistrates Court – the twins, aged 22, stood before Magistrate Marcia Duvnjak.
Their solicitor, Mr Damien Geason, labelled the incident as “exceptionally unusual”.
The confrontation occurred around 12:45AM on 4th September 2022.
As the victim walked past the brothers house, he was halted by aggressive questioning and demands to stop from two voices.
The terrified man, witnessing two figures approaching with knives, bolted towards Kelp St. There, he tripped and was cornered by the twins.
The court heard one brother held a combat knife to the victim’s throat while the other brother loomed behind, wielding a steak knife.
The brothers then demanded the man’s wallet, shoes and phone before returning to their house.
After being left on the ground, the shaken victim was helped by a nearby female driver who alerted the police.
The brothers told the court they believed the man was trespassing, earlier hearing ‘doors shifting’ and seeing a man with a flashlight.
CCTV from a nearby home captured the twins dashing down their driveway, shouting, but didn’t show any signs of the alleged trespasser.
According to The Mercury, the victim said he had been at a 21st birthday celebration and then visited a friend on the same street that night.
The brother who held the knife to the victims throat was found guilty of both charges, while the other brother was acquitted for property damage but found guilty of assault.
Magistrate Duvnjak said the twins’ use of knives ‘wasn’t for self-defence’.
The matter has been adjourned until in September for final sentencing.
