Nikola Trajkovski was sentenced for his role in a 2023 Albion Park home invasion. Photo: Zoe Cartwright.
A second man involved in an Albion Park home invasion will be out of jail in time for Christmas.
On 20 May 2023, three men kicked in the door of an Albion Park home.
Once they had forced their way inside they demanded drugs and cash, before assaulting two of the people in the home with an axe.
One of the offenders was convicted killer Zlatan Popovic; now, the identity of a second man involved in the violent attack has been revealed.
Nikola Trajkovski, aged 47, did not kick in the door, nor did he swing the axe.
When Popovic asked the victims if he knew who Trajkovski was, he immediately recognised him.
The victim did not recognise either Popovic or the other man involved in the attack.
His recognition of Trajkovski resulted in his “inevitable” arrest, according to Wollongong Court sentencing judge Andrew Haesler.
Trajkovski pleaded guilty to break and enter and commit a serious indictable offence.
Judge Haesler said although Trajkovski did not personally commit the serious acts of violence, he was still morally culpable.
“Three men entered a home, confronted other men there with a very base motive; to get drugs and or money,” Judge Haesler said.
“There was some planning in the sense that Trajkovski knew the occupant.
“He claims to have been owed money by him.
“He was obviously aware drugs were there because he told his psychologist that he went there to get drugs.
“A submission is made that Trajkovski was less morally culpable for what occurred and less involved as he was less involved in the break and enter.
“I cannot accept that submission. It is clear that he was aware of what might be there. The other two had no connection with the premises. It was his suggestion, his plan.”
Judge Haesler noted that Trajkovski was the victim of a violent crime as a young man.
Trajkovski was seriously injured and as a result received a significant compensation payout and ongoing problems with pain management.
Despite a stable and loving upbringing, he turned to illicit drugs to manage his pain, and has had a problem with them ever since.
He has been in jail for the Albion Park break-in since his arrest in July 2023 and while in prison Trajkovski began buprenorphine treatment for his opiate addiction.
Judge Haesler said Trajkovski’s family support and drug treatment could help him rehabilitate himself – if he chose to make the effort.
“As always, [his family] offer him support,” Judge Haelser said.
“I do not want to be rude to you, Mr Trajkovski but if you take the opportunities offered when you are given parole, take the help of your family, you may avoid going back to gaol again.”
Judge Haesler said the seriousness of the crime and Trajkovski’s criminal history meant he could not consider a sentence that did not include imprisonment.
“There was a force of numbers,” he said.
“One of the three was armed. People were hurt. Violence was used. It is a serious offence that justifies a serious penalty.”
Judge Haelser sentenced Trajkovski to four years and three months imprisonment, with a non-parole period of two years and five months.
The sentence was backdated to his arrest on 12 July 2023, meaning Trajkovski will be eligible for parole on 11 December 2025.
Judge Haesler noted he had timed the release ahead of the holiday period for practical reasons, as a slightly later parole date may coincide with probation and parole services being on leave.
