A man who almost severed his neighbour’s fingers in a vicious axe attack has had his attempted murder charge downgraded as a woman faces court as an accessory.
Jason Rees was set to stand trial in the Wollongong District Court on Monday after pleading not guilty to the charge over the brutal incident on March 5 last year.
Following plea negotiations, Rees instead pleaded guilty to the charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, the Illawarra Mercury reported.
A man who almost severed his neighbour’s fingers in a vicious axe attack has had his attempted murder charge downgraded as a woman faces court as an accessory
Jason Rees was set to stand trial in the Wollongong District Court on Monday after pleading not guilty to the charge over the brutal incident on March 5 last year
Rees had gone to a unit complex on Corrimal Street, Wollongong, south of Sydney, armed with a gun.
An argument occurred and Michael Leiter disarmed Rees when he noticed there was no magazine in the weapon.
Leiter then walked Rees outside, where the attack occoured, claiming he wanted to lead him away from the other people in the unit.
“I led him away, not knowing he had an axe … I didn’t see he had a tomahawk. Unarmed, I would have won, hands down,” Mr Leiter said.
Tammy Kirk appeared in court on Tuesday and plead guilty to a charge of acting as accessory after the fact to a serious indictable offence.
The charges relate to her harbouring Rees after the incident.
Kirk was found not guilty of a second charge, entering a dwelling with intent to commit a serious indictable offence.
Rees was seen on CCTV talking to Leiter, 49, outside the complex after the pair had earlier scuffled inside one of the units.
Rees pulled out a tomahawk and moved it from hand to hand as he walked towards Mr Leiter, who had been following behind.
Ress caused wounds to three of Mr Leiter’s fingers after he swung the tomahawk at the victim.
Mr Leiter desperately tried to escape but Rees caught up with him and struck the tomahawk into the victim’s back.
Rees will next face court on July 24.
The police crime scene at Corrimal Street, Wollongong, south of Sydney
A streetview picture of the area where the incident took place in Wollongong
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