A Raymond Terrace man has admitted to a violent, drug-fuelled attack where he choked a man and threatened to kill him during a sexual encounter, in a case described by police as bizarre.
Meth-fuelled tryst turns violent
William Pocock, 39, of Links Drive, Raymond Terrace, entered his guilty plea in Newcastle Local Court on Thursday. He pleaded guilty to choking a man without consent, stealing a mobile phone, and falsely reporting a kidnapping to police.
The incident unfolded on April 14, 2025. According to police facts, Pocock was introduced to the victim at another man's home in Raymond Terrace. The pair smoked methylamphetamine for several hours before discussing a sexual encounter.
Threats to kill and violent assault
After being asked to leave the initial location, the pair drove to the victim's house. Police state that after they undressed and were on the victim's bed, Pocock suddenly became paranoid his phone was being hacked.
The victim's mother entered the room after hearing a commotion and told them to be quiet and get dressed. Shortly after, Pocock climbed on top of the victim and declared, "C...t, I've been to jail for 15 years for murder, I'm going to f...king kill you."
He then placed his hand around the victim's throat, forced his head back into the pillow and headboard, and applied pressure until the victim was close to losing consciousness.
Bizarre aftermath and false kidnapping claim
Pocock then dressed, took the victim's two phones and iPad, and fled out the back door. He returned at 4am, banging on the locked door and pushing past the victim's mother to confront the victim again about a phone.
He remained loitering outside the property until around 6am. Later that morning, at 9am, police received a radio broadcast about a reported kidnapping.
Officers found Pocock at a Heatherbrae construction site, where he claimed he had been kidnapped and sexually assaulted before escaping. Police noted his story was inconsistent during an interview.
While Pocock was being taken to John Hunter Hospital for a sexual assault investigation kit, other officers located two mobile phones hidden in a tub of animal manure near the victim's home.
Pocock was arrested the following day on Mount Hall Road, Raymond Terrace. During his arrest, he asked police if he was "going to go away for good" and tried to explain why he took the phones.
An examination of the phones revealed matching sexual messages and photos between Pocock and the victim.
Court proceedings and next steps
Pocock, who has been remanded in custody, is scheduled to appear in Newcastle District Court on February 12, 2026, to receive a date for his sentencing. An apprehended violence order is currently in place between Pocock and the victim.
