Judge’s extraordinary edict for woman charged with chaining up and padlocking an intruder she found on her property: You’re banned from going within 100km of your house
An NDIS supervisor accused of assaulting and kidnapping a man she found on her property has been granted bail on strict conditions, including a ban on travelling within 100km of her own home near Newcastle, New South Wales. Kylee Robinson, 52, allegedly attacked a man with a baseball bat after discovering him in her shed at Raymond Terrace, then bound him with a chain and padlock before forcing him, alongside her partner Guy Westgate, 53, to a nearby homeless camp to search for stolen property. The case has drawn attention for the unusual severity of her bail conditions relative to her own residence.
Robinson faces charges including kidnapping with intent to commit a serious indictable offence, being armed with intent, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, after allegedly assaulting two further men and damaging a car at the camp. She spent 18 nights in custody before Newcastle Local Court granted her bail on 21 August, requiring her to live over 360km away on the NSW Central Tablelands, observe a night-time curfew, avoid alcohol and licensed venues, report weekly to police, and have no contact with Westgate or witnesses, backed by a A$10,000 surety. Westgate, a former soldier, was granted bail earlier under separate conditions and is also charged in connection with the incident.
In short
- Woman charged over alleged shed intruder assault and kidnapping granted bail
- Barred from going within 100km of her own home near Newcastle
- Must live 360km away, observe curfew, and pay A$10,000 surety
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Strict bail conditions can be justified where the allegations involve serious violence, restraint and possible pressure on witnesses, and where the court needs confidence the accused will attend future hearings. Requiring Robinson to live far from the scene, avoid co-accused and witnesses, and report regularly may be seen as a proportionate way to manage those risks while allowing bail rather than continued detention.
The case against
A 100km exclusion from one’s home is an unusually burdensome condition, especially for someone not convicted of any offence, and may disrupt housing, work and family life. Conditions should be tailored to demonstrated risks and no more restrictive than necessary; critics could reasonably question whether the distance and other restrictions strike that balance.
Explained simply
The case concerns Kylee Robinson and her partner, Guy Westgate, who are accused of confronting a man found in a shed on their property near Raymond Terrace, north of Newcastle in New South Wales. Prosecutors allege the man was assaulted and restrained, and that the pair later went to a nearby camp where further assaults and property damage occurred; the allegations have not been tested in court.
Robinson faces charges including kidnapping and assault, while Westgate is also charged over the incident. The case is being heard in the New South Wales court system, where bail allows an accused person to remain out of custody while a case proceeds, subject to conditions; the charges are not findings of guilt.