Hendrik van Schaik and Frederick Bernard Walkuski are on trial in the Supreme Court charged with conspiring to murder judges Paul Rice and Rosemary Davey and conspiring to firebomb the car of a senior police officer. Artwork: Tim Ide Source: Supplied

These are the words alleged prison murder plot mastermind Frederick Walkuski bragged to a fellow inmate, the South Australian Supreme Court has heard.

Former Mobilong Prison inmate Wayne Buckingham today outlined Walkuski’s alleged efforts to recruit others into a plot to murder two District Court judges and firebomb the car of a senior police officer.

Mr Buckingham, who is the key prosecution witness in the case against Walkuski and fellow inmate Hendrik van Schaik, told the jury that Walkuski often spoke of his hatred for Judge Paul Rice, who sentenced him to 17 years’ prison in 2009.

Walkuski, 64, and van Schaik, 43, have both pleaded not guilty to conspiring to murder Judge Rice and his wife Judge Rosemary Davey by firebombing their home and to conspiring to firebomb the car of Detective Sergeant Craig Wall.

District Court Judge Rosemary Davey. Source: Supplied

District Court Judge Paul Rice. Source: News Limited

Mr Buckingham said Walkuski asked him if would be involved in the “hit” on several occasions.

“At some stage he said that he wanted Judge Rice’s house firebombed, he wanted it done late at night when the judges were fast asleep,” he said.

“He made it quite obvious that he wanted to get square with the judge and I knew where it was going to go.”

Walkuski allegedly told Mr Buckingham he had access to more than $100,000 and offered $20,000 for the attacks on the judges’ home and the officer’s car.

“He didn’t give a particular reason why that particular police officer (was targeted), he just wanted to get square with police,” he said.

“He showed me a map that he’d drawn stating where the police officer lived.”

Mr Buckingham said he told his solicitor, who in turn contacted detectives.

He agreed to co-operate with their investigation and to provide evidence in court if charges were laid.

Fredrick Bernard Walkuski outside the District Court in 2009. Source: News Limited

Mr Buckingham was shown a letter from Director of Public Prosecutions Adam Kimber to senior police, agreeing to recommend a suspended sentence for dishonesty charges in exchange for his co-operation.

The court heard van Schaik came into the unit at Mobilong, southeast of Adelaide, some time later, and agreed to carry out the attacks on Walkuski’s behalf when he was to be released on August 4, 2014.

“Rik (van Schaik) said on a couple of occasions that he would do the job when he got out,” Mr Buckingham said.

“Rik said to Fred that if wanted it done straight away he could get his son to do it.

“Fred asked how young his son was and Rik said about 20, and Fred said ‘no, I don’t want to get anyone else involved’.”

Mr Buckingham said in late June 2014, he overheard Walkuski asking van Schaik if he’d said anything about the plot on a sanctioned phone call.

“Rik replied, ‘yeah, I said Fred Walkuski is paying me $20,000 to firebomb a cop’s car and a judge’s house. Of course I didn’t say anything, don’t worry Fred, I’ll do it as soon as I get out’,” Mr Buckingham said.

“Rik needed the money straight away because he’d lost his car and his motorbike, he was going to do both places on the same night because he wanted to get the full amount.”

Mr Buckingham told the jury Walkuski would become angry and animated when speaking of Judge Rice, who he described as an “animal” and “dog”.

He said Walkuski once remarked: “I just want the f***ing old c**t dead, he’s just a f***ing animal.”

On another occasion, Walkuski allegedly told Mr Buckingham: “I can just see the headline now, Two Judges Burned. Nah, nah, Two Ducks Roasted.”

The court also heard van Schaik’s girlfriend had found out where Judge Rice and Judge Davey lived and that Walkuski would pay the money when he saw evidence of the attacks on the news.

The trial continues.