A MELBOURNE woman accused of an aggravated home invasion in Marnoo has been granted bail amid fears keeping her in custody for longer than a potential sentence would be "unjust".
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Kristie Wilson, 34, appeared in Horsham Magistrates' Court on Monday accused of travelling from Braybrook, in Melbourne's west, to take a speedboat that was parked in the driveway of a Marnoo property on October 22. She did not enter a plea.
It's alleged Mrs Wilson, Bradley Reese and Matthew Bawden all travelled to the property, where an altercation occurred.
Police say the victim was at home with a friend when Mr Bawden kicked the front door three times before it was forced open.
Mr Bawden is accused of holding down the victim while Mr Reese hit him over the head with a beer bottle, knocking him unconscious.
The court heard the victim was admitted to hospital with bruising, significant head and leg pain and a stab wound to his left arm. The court heard that upon discharge, the victim returned to find items stolen from his home.
Police allege a spare key to a vehicle on the property, various personal cards, a leaf blower and a pack of cigarettes were among the items taken.
The court heard ownership of the boat had become a contentious issue in a civil dispute between the victim, Mrs Wilson and Mrs Wilson's former housemate.
Police told the court Mrs Wilson planned to retrieve the boat through text messages with her former housemate and that she was fretting about the three-hour drive to Melbourne.
"You're not asking me for a cup of sugar," Mrs Wilson is accused of saying.
Police said witnesses saw Mrs Wilson wielding a hammer in the Marnoo property's driveway, telling her co-accused: "Hurry up, we've got what we want, let's go."
Mrs Wilson's defence lawyer Jonathan Barreiro told the court her remarks showed her "desire to get the boat back" and "not be involved in an assault".
"She is a minor player in a very awful offence," Mr Barreiro said.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Rebekah Caccaviello opposed Mrs Wilson's application for bail, saying the accused was a risk of endangering persons and intimidating witnesses.
"She's still a player and took no steps to remedy the issue. She didn't contact police or an ambulance. She was seen inside the house," Senior Constable Caccaviello said.
Magistrate Ronald Saines said while there were no certainties over the case's future, the possibility of Mrs Wilson remaining in custody until a potential County Court trial in October would be "an injustice".
"There is a reasonable case to make on aggravated home invasion and/or aggravated burglary," Mr Saines said.
"Conviction on these charges is not a certainty. If convicted, a term of imprisonment is highly likely - though not a certainty.
"There is little prospect of a conclusion of a trial in Horsham in 12 months.
"Were a person to be entered into custody for a period longer than a likely sentence, it would be unjust.
"There is a risk of injustice, and Mrs Wilson has demonstrated significant family support, discussed some surety and has a possibility to return to employment."
Mr Bawden and Mr Reese did not appear before court on Monday and remain in custody. The pair will appear before Horsham Magistrates' Court on January 29.
Mrs Wilson is also due back in court on January 29.