IT is the text message exchange that detectives say shows a man looking for sex on a popular online classifieds network was being lured into a dating app trap before three men stormed his house at Cardiff and struck him in the head with a large ornamental sword.
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Three men and a woman have been charged over the plot to rob and assault the 48-year-old man in the early hours of January 12 this year.
Mitchell Neil Sullivan, 34, Corey Hicks, 23, Adam Shortland, 19, and Alexandra Dwyer, 25, all had their matters mentioned in Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday.
Detectives say that the alleged victim used the Locanto classifieds website to contact Ms Dwyer and the pair agreed that Ms Dwyer would attend his home to provide "sexual favours" for $240, according to a statement of police facts.
But between 4.49am and 5.20am - while Ms Dwyer was allegedly communicating with the victim - she was also allegedly texting Mr Sullivan, telling him about the arrangement.
"Job at Cardiff?" Ms Dwyer allegedly texted Mr Sullivan. "Right now. Cash on premises. Home alone? That other c--- has no cash [or] nothing on him till 6.30."
When Mr Sullivan allegedly replied "Ok, so come get u", Ms Dwyer is alleged to have texted him: "Yes. Make ure (sic) thos (sic) boys understand we are about to robb (sic) this c--- at his home. He's alone waiting for me. He has cash."
CCTV cameras at the Gateshead Motel allegedly show four people getting into Mr Sullivan's Holden Commodore and then heading south on the Pacific Highway.
About 13 minutes later Ms Dwyer allegedly texted the victim: "I'm here" before she was let into the home.
According to court documents, Ms Dwyer told the alleged victim that it was her policy with clients that the front door remain unlocked for her safety.
The alleged victim left the door unlocked and allegedly showed Ms Dwyer $650.
Ms Dwyer is then accused of sending two text messages to Mr Sullivan which detectives say was a signal to the three men to enter the premises and rob the alleged victim.
"Yep, now," she is alleged to have texted Mr Sullivan.
A short time later the alleged victim says he heard someone trying to get in the door before he was confronted by two masked men.
One of the men allegedly had an ornamental sword and used it to strike the alleged victim in the forehead, fracturing his skull and causing a large gash that required 13 stitches.
The group then allegedly stole the money and fled.
Job at Cardiff? Right now. Cash on premises. Home alone? That other c--- has no cash [or] nothing on him till 6.30.
- Alexandra Dwyer allegedly texted Mitchell Neil Sullivan before the robbery.
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