NRL star's brother allegedly involved in bloody home invasion

News.com.au

13-05-2025

The brother of an NRL star has been freed on bail after a court heard it was alleged he was involved in a violent home invasion in which the victim was struck in the head, told to hand over money before being left zip-tied in a pool of blood with life-threatening injuries.
Troy Anthony Xerri, 33, the brother of Canterbury Bulldogs centre Bronson Xerri, appeared in the Supreme Court in Sydney on Tuesday in an effort to be freed on bail following his arrest in July last year.
Police allege he was one of four men who were involved in an attempted robbery of a man at Wattle Crescent, Pyrmont in May last year, which left the victim fighting for his life.
Bronson Xerri is not accused of any wrongdoing.
Troy Xerri's barrister Gabrielle Bashir asked that he be released on bail because several family members were in ill health and he was needed at home to help out his wife.
Ms Bashir also attacked the prosecution case, which the court heard included CCTV, arguing he was not identifiable on the footage.
According to the Crown case, it's alleged Mr Xerri and his three co-accused went to the victim's building on May 21 last year where two of the men went to his apartment to say they needed to inspect a bathroom because a toilet was leaking upstairs.
Later that day, it is alleged, they asked the man to tell his babysitter to go for a walk so they could 'spray chemicals', the court was told on Tuesday.
The man told police that when he was facing away, he was struck by one of the men on the back of the head and demands were made for money as he was kicked.
The man blacked out and was discovered by a building security guard after the babysitter could not get back into the building.
'The complainant was found on the floor bleeding with his hands in cable ties, the apartment had been ransacked,' Justice Stephen Rothman told the court on Tuesday.
When police searched the apartment, they found gloves, zip ties, drug paraphernalia, methamphetamine and over $184,000 in a toolbox.
'The complainant was taken to hospital and treated for life-threatening skull fractures and brain haemorrhages with an acute risk of raised intracranial pressure,' Justice Rothman said.
The man also underwent surgery for facial injuries and forearm lacerations, the court was told.
In July 2024, Mr Xerri went to a police station where he was arrested and charged.
He has been charged with breaking and entering a dwelling inflicting grievous bodily harm, assault, take and detain in company with intent to get advantage and causing grievous bodily harm to a person with intent.
No pleas have been entered and the court heard on Tuesday it was estimated that if the matter does go to trial, it will not be until the second half of next year.
'In essence these are very serious offences which involve assault causing damage and kidnapping,' Justice Rothman told the court on Tuesday.
Justice Rothman agreed to release Mr Xerri on bail on conditions including that he live with his wife, abide by home detention, wear an electronic ankle monitoring bracelet and come up with a $500,000 surety.
He is also required to report to police daily, surrender his passport and not go within 500m of a point of international departure.
Mr Xerri will return to court next month.