Australia - Mercanti's partner breaks down while recounting a life of abuse

OFF THE WIRE
smh.com.au

The partner of a notorious Perth bikie, found guilty of stealing trust funds from the daughters of two dead bikies, broke down in court when her lawyer described her troubled childhood and relationship with her violent partner.
Tammy Cherie Kingdon, partner of Finks member Troy Mercanti, was due to be sentenced in the Perth District Court today after she was found guilty on four counts of stealing and one count of property laundering.
However, Judge Henry Wisbey had Kingdon's sentencing postponed until next week because the courtroom was needed for a trial.
Only part of the submissions were heard before the sentencing was adjourned.
Kingdon, 34, stole more than $53,500 from four Commonwealth Bank trust accounts set up after Coffin Cheater gang member Marc Chabriere was gunned down in 1998 and fellow Coffin Cheater Richard Vickers was killed in 2000.
At the time, Mercanti was a member of the Coffin Cheaters and Kingdon became the trustee of the account.
Mercanti later fell out with the members of the Coffin Cheaters and left the gang to become a nominee of the rival Finks in 2008, sparking a feud between the gangs.
In August 2008, Kingdon withdrew the money, putting it into one account in her name, using it to buy a property in Balga, which became the Finks clubhouse.
Kingdon, who was dressed in black, wiped tears from her eyes as her lawyer Stephen Shirrefs recounted her troubled childhood.
Mr Shirrefs said Kingdon had a "disturbed" childhood with her parents divorcing when she was five years old and her mother not wanting to care for her daughter.
He said Kingdon's mother was often abusive, "tormenting" her daughter and "ridiculing" her.
Kingdon suffered panic attacks and feared going home, Mr Shirrefs said.
She met Mercanti in Kalgoorlie when she was 19 years old and they began an on-off relationship for 15 years until he was jailed in 2008.
Mr Shirrefs said Kingdon described her relationship with Mercanti as "turbulent and at times disturbing" because he was violent.
He said she stayed with him for the sake of her children because she did not want them growing up in a broken home like she had done.
Mr Shirrefs said Kingdon was "naïve" and "wanted to please" Mercanti which was why she did whatever he wanted her to do, including being the trustee of the bank accounts.
Mr Shirrefs presented more than a dozen character references for Kingdon including letters from neighbours, family members, teachers and parents.
Kingdon, who is the sole carer of her two children, had her bail extended to Monday when she will be sentenced.