THE couple accused of robbing and bashing former Australian Test cricketer Robert “Dutchy” Holland and his wife after they were told not to ride their dirt bike on Awaba Oval will face a trial in Newcastle District Court.
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Benjamin John Gibbs, 32, and Tiffany Pandel, 22, both of Awaba, appeared in Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday where they pleaded not guilty to aggravated robbery and inflict actual bodily harm.
Mr Gibbs will also face trial on a charge of recklessly causing grievous bodily harm.
Mr Holland, who was then 69, and his wife, Carolyn Holland, then 68, arrived at Awaba Oval about 5.20pm on August 27 last year, according to a crown case statement.
Mr Holland, who was wearing a sling after recent shoulder surgery, was there to attend to something at the ground as part of his role as secretary of the Awaba Ovals board. He allegedly asked Mr Gibbs and Ms Pandel not to ride their motorbike on Awaba Oval because it would damage the ground and pointed them to a field nearby.
But when the pair allegedly rode to the nearby Toronto Pony Club, Mr Holland approached again and pointed them to the “suitable field” a short distance away.
“I feel like bashing you,” Mr Gibbs is alleged to have told Mr Holland.
Mr Holland allegedly replied: “This is serious, I’ll call the police.”
Mrs Holland, who was about 50 metres away, started to record the incident on her mobile phone.
Mr Gibbs is alleged to have jumped on the motorbike and accelerated at speed towards Mrs Holland before breaking a short distance away from her, causing the rear-wheel of the bike to knock her to the ground.
Mrs Pandel then allegedly approached Mrs Holland, who was still on the ground, and kicked her once in the face and seven or eight times to the body, the crown case statement says.
Mrs Pandel then allegedly grabbed the mobile phone from Mrs Holland and walked away.
Mr Holland went to his wife’s aid, but was allegedly punched in the mouth by Mr Gibbs. He landed on his injured right shoulder before Mr Gibbs allegedly kicked him three or four times in the body and ribs.
Mr Holland claims he took out his mobile phone to take a photo of Mr Gibbs, who allegedly took the phone off him and kicked him three or four more times.
Mr Gibbs and Ms Pandel, who remain on bail, will appear in Newcastle District Court on June 22 for arraignment and to set a trial date.
The Newcastle Herald reported in April that Holland, 70, is facing the fight of his life after undergoing surgery to remove a brain tumour.
