News Service from House Harris

Vic: Tyre magnate denies lying to protect money

MELBOURNE, Jan 20 AAP - Tyre king Bob Jane has denied exaggerating a fight with his estranged wife to protect his money.

Mr Jane, 79, returned to the stand on Tuesday for the second day of giving evidence against Laree Jane, 41.

She has pleaded not guilty to charges of assaulting, threatening to inflict serious injury and falsely imprisoning the Bob Jane T-Marts founder at her South Yarra apartment in December 2006, about six weeks after the couple had separated.

The Victorian County Court has been told that Jane threatened her husband with a 12-inch knife, told him she was going to shoot him and stopped the 79-year-old from leaving the apartment.

Jane's lawyer Philip Dunn, QC, accused Mr Jane on Tuesday of exaggerating the seriousness of the domestic argument.

He said Mr Jane had gone to police only after consulting with two directors of the Bob Jane company about how the allegations may help him protect his money from his wife.

"You are not somebody who just makes things up when you think it will help you?" he asked.

"... like making things up to the police when you think it will help you protect your money from your wife?"

Mr Jane rejected the suggestion, saying the company directors were also two of his closest confidantes - his son and a good friend.

"You can suggest what you like, sir, that is your privilege and I can continue to tell you that you are wrong," he said.

Mr Jane also rejected suggestions his wife had got the knife from inside a box containing pizzas the family had just finished eating.

He said she had definitely taken the knife from the kitchen.

Also giving evidence on Tuesday, police Leading Senior Constable Ian Gierck told the court when he arrested Jane she gave him the knife which was in the dishwasher.

Sen Const Gierck said he took out an intervention order on behalf of Mr Jane against his wife shortly after the fight.

Sen Const Gierck and Mr Jane were the only witnesses called by the prosecution, who have now concluded their evidence.

The trial, before Judge Lisa Hannan, continues.

The court has heard the couple, who were married for nearly 20 years, are now divorced.