Face of Nation : Firebrand gangland widow Roberta Williams has been reprimanded by a Melbourne magistrate as she faced court on charges of kidnapping and making threats to kill. The 50-year-old faces multiple and serious criminal allegations linked to her plans for a reality TV show about her life.
During police questioning Williams threw chairs around the interview room, Detective Senior Constable Lisa Hollingsworth told the court. Williams yelled from the dock she had been tormented by detectives about Carl’s killing. Magistrate Robert Kumar threatened to stop proceedings unless Williams was quiet.
The court was told she, James Harrison and Jake Sexton, both 24, and a third man threatened to kill Ryan Naumenko, who had been involved the production of Williams’ TV show. They are accused of kicking, punching and tying him up with a power cord at Collingwood on July 9.
Naumenko had been invited to a party only to be told “righto Ryan, you’re f***ed. It’s all over now,” police alleged. “Roberta wants money otherwise you’re f***ed.” Williams allegedly screamed “kill the c*** … he is no use to us anymore”. She is also accused of saying she’d tell police Mr Naumenko raped her daughter, and claimed she had paid off the police and media.
Mr Naumenko was made to contact his family members to transfer money, Det Snr Const Hollingsworth told the court. “We know your address in Mildura … we know what school your children go to,” were among the alleged threats made to Mr Naumenko. Williams is charged with 10 offences including deprivation of liberty, false imprisonment, making threats to kill and recklessly and intentionally causing serious injury.
She is also charged with stealing Mr Naumenko’s wallet and bank cards. Williams’ barrister Theo Alexander said the allegations were untrue. “I’m going to suggest to you that this is just fabricated rubbish,” he told the court. Mr Naumenko told the Nine network that Williams “bashed the living shit out of me”.
“She attacked me because she wanted money, because she wanted the rights to her show,” he said. Despite police fears that Williams posed an unacceptable risk to Mr Naumenko and could try and flee the county, she was granted bail. Magistrate Robert Kumar noted Williams has an eight-year-old autistic son who requires around-the-clock care, so agreed to release her from custody with strict conditions.
She must adhere to a curfew and cannot associate with her co-accused or contact witnesses. Williams must report daily to police and provide a $10,000 surety. She did not speak to waiting media while being escorted from court by her lawyers.
