EXCLUSIVE
A grandmother whose former son-in-law plotted to have her murdered by an assassin has broken her silence on the terrifying ordeal and explained how his evil plan unraveled.
Cheryl Brewin, who lives in Sydney’s western suburbs, is relieved to be alive, two years after her daughter Amanda’s ex-husband Maris Galea masterminded his murder-for-hire plot.
“I’m clearly still here, I’m alive… thank God!” she told Daily Mail Australia.
‘Frightening? Yes that’s right.’
It’s clear that Galea tried to recruit a hitman online to carry out the contract killing, but the ‘hitman’ turned out to be an undercover cop.
Galea was quickly arrested shortly afterwards when he tried to hand over the money. He has been in pre-trial detention since then.
Grandmother Cheryl Brewin described the ordeal as ‘terrifying’
Berkshire Park man Maris Galea has pleaded guilty to incitement to murder and breaching an AVO
Maris Galea attended a family celebration with his ex-wife Amanda (pictured second right) and his former mother-in-law Cheryl Brewin (center)
Galea, 35, has pleaded guilty to inciting, persuading or encouraging another to commit murder and breaching an apprehended violence order.
The electrician was ordered by the court not to contact the grandmother.
But he admitted he “engaged another person” to breach the apprehended violence order, which was intended to protect the woman and threaten her safety.
According to Galea’s former neighbor in Berkshire Park in Sydney’s northwest, the person hired to “beat off” Ms Brewin was in fact an undercover police officer.
‘I was there the day he… [Galea] was arrested, the street was crawling with undercover police officers,” the neighbor recalls.
“Once he handed over the money to the undercover officer, the police arrested him.”
Neighbors recalled that Galea had a short temper that could flare up over anything.
“One minute he was polite and friendly, the next minute he was your worst enemy,” the neighbor said.
“I’m clearly still here, I’m alive… thank God!” she told Daily Mail Australia
Ms Brewin insisted he is no longer her son-in-law and her daughter and Maris Galea have since divorced
Daily Mail Australia understands Galea and his ex-wife were separated at the time he planned the attack on his then mother-in-law.
“He’s not my son-in-law anymore… they’re divorced,” Ms Brewin revealed, adding that her biggest concern was her innocent grandchild.
No specific motive for the assassin’s attempted execution has yet been revealed.
Galea was recently banned from appearing at Penrith District Court where his cases were discussed.
A series of draft facts, not yet signed by Galea, were presented to the court on a “they could be subject to discussion” basis, while a date was set for a sentencing hearing estimated to last three hours.
The court ordered that a sentencing assessment report be issued at the next opportunity to assist in determining appropriate sentencing options.
He remains in custody and will return to Penrith District Court on October 18.