Two Tasmanian brothers have been jailed over a brutal armed home invasion that left a father with his hand almost severed by a machete and a bullet lodged in his leg.
Jordan Brennan, 22, was sentenced to eight years and one month behind bars, while his 24-year-old brother Hayden received seven years for the robbery at a property in the state’s north-west on September 5 last year.
Wearing balaclavas and armed with a loaded gun and machete, the pair broke into a family home on Cuprona Road around 10pm, targeting a safe that held about $40,000 worth of gold jewellery.
Supreme Court Justice Michael Brett labelled the attack “horrific” and “cold-blooded” during sentencing.
“It is difficult to imagine the terror that this family, including the children, must have experienced as a result of your criminal conduct,” Justice Brett said.
“Of course, your intention was to terrorise them and you achieved this by the threatened and actual infliction of serious violence.”
The court heard the brothers stormed the bedroom where a couple, aged 42 and 47, were sleeping with their two children nearby.
When the father tried to grab the gun, it discharged and shot him in the thigh. One of the brothers then slashed his wrist with the machete, almost severing his hand.
He was also kicked in the face, fracturing his nose and now suffers permanent loss of function in his right hand.
The couple’s children, aged 10 and 12, managed to hide before escaping the house and calling police.
While they did not see the attack, they likely overheard parts of it, the court was told.
Police arrested both brothers shortly after they fled the scene, recovering the weapons and stolen jewellery from their abandoned vehicle. They have been behind bars since.
The father required emergency surgery and was airlifted to the Royal Hobart Hospital. The bullet remains in his leg because it was considered too dangerous to remove.
Jordan Brennan admitted firing the gun and using the machete. He already had a lengthy criminal record, including recent assaults on police officers.
Hayden had few prior offences but was said to be driven by financial stress and methamphetamine addiction.
Both men expressed remorse, but Justice Brett said their words carried little weight given the premeditated nature of the crime.
“Your claim of remorse does not assist your victims, who now have to cope with the consequences of what you did, for the rest of their lives,” he said.
Jordan Brennan will be eligible for parole after four years and one month, while Hayden can apply after three and a half years.
