<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A man accused of a home invasion that led to a grandfather's arm partially severed with an axe and an alleged accomplice's fatal stabbing has denied all charges.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Desmond Avery in Lismore District Court today pleaded not guilty to breaking and entering, and aggravated assault with intent to rob.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Avery also pleaded not guilty to causing grievous bodily harm to then 66-year-old Allan Kerr with intent of causing grievous bodily harm.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/carolina-wilga-search-for-backpacker-missing-from-outback-wa-expands-across-australia/91d37c37-34cd-4f4a-9c22-a16cf6ebfa4e" target="_blank"><strong><span>The call from missing backpacker's mum that raised the alarm</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Emergency services were called to a property in Kingscliff, near Tweed Heads in far north NSW, just after 8pm on April 9, 2024.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police found Avery's alleged co-offender, 29-year-old Trae Laurie, dead and Kerr seriously injured.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In court today, Judge Craig Everson asked Avery if he was related to world champion surfer Tom Avery, who has links to the NSW south coast.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/desmond-avery-court-updates-man-denies-home-invasion-that-left-alleged-accomplice-dead/87f3c09b-e38f-481d-ad20-f291f6cdbed7" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/multiple-pedestrians-hit-by-car-in-melbourne/56b9a06c-3aac-407e-b554-2ff0fa4d06c8" target="_blank"><strong><span>Woman killed, toddler hurt, man fighting for life after footpath horror</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Yes," Avery said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Investigators alleged Avery and Laurie forced entry into the home while armed with an axe and wearing face coverings to conceal their identities.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Laurie was allegedly stabbed in the chest by Kerr in what investigators have described as an act of self-defence after the older man was struck repeatedly with the axe.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Kerr was airlifted to Gold Coast University hospital and underwent surgery after having his arm partially severed in the attack.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Avery allegedly fled the scene in a silver Toyota Corolla and was arrested the next day at a property in Kingscliff.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Kerr did not know Avery or Laurie, police said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Due to a burst water main closing Sydney's Downing Centre court complex and the availability of essential witnesses, Judge Everson set a trial date for March 30.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I'm conscious the accused would then have been in custody for a fair while," Judge Everson said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Crown prosecutor Brendan Campbell said the trial would run for an estimated 10 days.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The matter was ordered to return to court for a readiness hearing on February 13.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Judge Everson ordered Avery be returned to custody.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a 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