Armed robbery case built 'on lies'

Defence lawyers representing two men on trial for an armed robbery over an alleged drug debt made a mockery of the police case before their clients were acquitted in the Albany Supreme Court last week.

After a four-day trial a Supreme Court jury took less than three hours to decide methamphetamine addict Joris Ravays was not unlawfully detained and the victim of an armed robbery.

Martin Paul Bennett and Nathan Francis Lewis were both acquitted of armed robbery and deprivation of liberty, while Leah Beth Pass was also acquitted of assault occasioning bodily harm and threats with intent to compel an act.

Mr Ravays told the jury last week he was at the mercy of Mr Lewis and Mr Bennett after the latter had punched him repeatedly in the head after accusing him of stealing money from Ms Pass.

Mr Ravays said he was ordered to hand over the keys to his Nissan Navara and told it would only be returned when he paid back $5000.

He then said he was ordered to drive to his home and hand over his car keys, a laptop and $500 cash while Mr Lewis and another man were in his company and armed with a knife and hammer.

But defence lawyer for Mr Lewis, Simon Fritag, said Mr Ravays was not held against his will as he waited outside by himself in his car with his mobile phone for 15 minutes before driving the men to his home.

"This was not an armed robbery but Ravays arranging to pay for the drugs he stole," Mr Fritag said.

"He didn't seek assistance because he didn't need it. He was not the victim of a violent crime.

"Armed robbers don't drop you back at your home afterwards and ask you if they can drive your car."

Mr Bennett's defence lawyer, Hylton Quail, said it was clear his client was "no angel" and it was not disputed the assault occurred, but it was "how this world worked" when drugs were involved.

The jury found Mr Bennett guilty of assault occasioning bodily harm and making threats with intent to compel an act and he will be sentenced later this month but was released on bail last Friday.

Mr Quail also went on to mock the State case, which he said was based entirely on the testimony of a desperate methamphetamine addict.

"Hours after the incident, he (Mr Ravays) decided on lies," Mr Quail said.

"He left everything out of his original 33-page statement to police which painted him in a bad light.

"He (Mr Ravays) had entered into an agreement to repay money and he hadn't done so."

Visiting Chief Justice Wayne Martin acquitted Mr Lewis and Ms Pass and granted bail to Mr Bennett before his sentencing on February 18 in Perth.