Ex-wife of Family Court bomber says Leonard John Warwick was 'controlling and violent'

The ex-wife of alleged Family Court bomber Leonard John Warwick has described him as controlling and violent, while giving evidence at his Supreme Court trial.

Appearing via video link, Warwick, 71 looked directly at his screen as Andrea Blanchard walked into the court room.

Ms Blanchard was 22-years-old when they married at Panania in 1974, then moved into the home they had bought at Casula.

She described it as a “normal married relationship”, but about five-months in the violence started and Warwick banned her from seeing her family and driving.

She described one occasion when her sister arrived at their home with a birthday cake.

“At first when they knocked Leonard wouldn’t allow them to enter the house…I pushed him out of the way, opened the door and allowed them in.”

She also described a heated argument in 1979.

“Well he started punching me, and he pushed me down to the floor and started kicking me on the body and repeatedly punching me in the arm.”

When it became clear he wouldn’t let her take their daughter Trudi she ran outside and called for help.

The Crown alleges after their split a dispute over the Casula property and their child, sparked a horrifying chain of events.

Warwick is accused of shooting dead his brother in law and Family Court Judge David Opas.

He is also charged with bombing the court itself, the homes of Justice Richard Gee and Justice Ray Watson, killing his wife Pearl.

The 24 charges also cover allegations he bombed a Jehovah’s Witness hall where his ex wife had gone for help, killing Graham Wykes and injuring many others.

Warwick has pleaded not guilty.

Ms Blanchard told the court today he owned five guns when she married him and also owned ammunition.

She will continue giving evidence tomorrow.