The alleged victim of a failed deadly ambush involving a gun and a second-hand car gasped and held back tears as he viewed photographs of his injuries while giving evidence this afternoon, a court has heard

The prosecution has alleged that 63-year-old John Charles Quail ambushed Stavros “Steve” Ridis outside his Tullamarine workplace and shot him with a semi-automatic pistol before driving over him in a car.

Mr Ridis was being shown hospital photographs of himself for the first time and whispered “Oh my God” as he stood in Supreme Court witness box giving evidence during the trial.

Prosecutor Ray Gibson has told the court that Mr Quail was living with Mr Ridis’ former wife after the two had an extra-marital affair.
The jury was told there was an on-going bitter dispute between the two men in the lead up to the Tullamarine incident. Mr Ridis survived the alleged attack on the night of July 7 last year.

Mr Gibson alleged that Mr Quail ambushed Mr Ridis in Tarmac Dve, Tullamarine, by pulling a .22 Ruger pistol – with an attached silencer – and firing several shots, one managed to hit the upper body of Mr Ridis.
In evidence this afternoon Mr Ridis, aged 70, said he heard words similar to “Die now you bastard” before he was shot. Mr Ridis said he was able to recognise the voice of his attacker and stated it was Mr Quail’s.

Mr Ridis said he remembered yelling the words “Please help me, I’m being killed” while running for help. In attempts to help himself out Mr Ridis managed to bite one of Mr Quail’s fingers and wrest the gun free and hit him with it. Both men ended up in different hospitals with differing injuries.

Mr Gibson has alleged that Mr Quail sought to murder Mr Ridis in a “calculated and premeditated manner”.
Defence counsel John Desmond has accused Mr Ridis of lying.

Mr Desmond has submitted that it was Mr Ridis who brought the gun to what was a pre-planned meeting between the two men. In cross examination today Mr Desmond put to Mr Ridis that it was he who had the pistol on the night.

Mr Ridis replied “No.”

Mr Quail has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and an alternative charge of intentionally causing serious injury.
The trial, before Justice Paul Coghlan, continues.