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Perth Now
a day ago
- Perth Now
Mother of four's killer appeals length of jail term
A man who struck and killed a mother of four with a car on a rural property has appealed the severity of his jail term, claiming it is excessive. James Kenneth Austin, 40, pleaded guilty in June to the manslaughter of Jacqui Purton at Campania in Tasmania. Austin, who was initially charged with murder, was sentenced to 13 years' jail with a non-parole period of eight years. Austin left Ms Purton to die on the driveway of the property on a night in March 2023 after hitting her with a Holden Commodore at 20-30km/h. He tried to divert police away from the home, before calling an ambulance and telling them someone else had been driving and that they had hit an "unidentified person". "Your actions were cold blooded, callous and selfish to an extent which is difficult to describe in words," Supreme Court of Tasmania Justice Michael Brett said during sentencing on July 3. Austin was controlling and violent towards Ms Purton during their on-and-off relationship and was subject to a family violence order stipulating he not abuse or assault her. He has appealed the severity of the jail sentence on the ground it was "manifestly excessive". A date for a court hearing has yet to be set, with further details of the appeal not provided in court documents. Ms Purton's family, who have described her as fun, bold and kind, are pushing for mandatory murder charges for people killed by cars driven by current or ex-partners. Speaking after the sentencing, Ms Purton's mother Leanne Walford said the full truth of what went on in her daughter's relationship wasn't told in court. Justice Brett said Austin drove at Ms Purton to scare her and it was a "very serious example" of manslaughter. It was clearly foreseeable that if she didn't move out of the way there was a grave risk to the point of certainty Austin would run her over, Justice Brett said. The court was told Ms Purton went underneath the length of the car and there was no evidence Austin braked before hitting her. Austin's sentence was backdated to April 2023, making him eligible for parole in 2031. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Perth Now
Search for man's head called off after TV star charged
A search for a man's decapitated head near a coastal town has been called off despite police finding "items of interest". Authorities have been unable to find the entire remains of Julian Story, 39, after his dismembered body was discovered at Port Lincoln, South Australia, on June 19. Former Beauty and the Geek reality TV contestant Tamika Sueann Rose Chesser, 34, has been charged with his murder. Police found "several items of interest" on Wednesday after information received by investigators coupled with the use of specialist equipment identified several additional search sites around Port Lincoln. However, authorities did not find human remains and on Thursday called off the search to allow Mr Story's family to move on and make funeral arrangements. "At this point in time, there will be no more searching undertaken in Port Lincoln for the missing remains of Julian," Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke told reporters. "We have exhausted all the areas of interest that have been made known to us in relation to this investigation." A T-shirt, drink bottle and wristband were reportedly the "items of interest" discovered on Wednesday about a kilometre from the Flinders Highway property where Mr Story was discovered. Det Fielke said they were sent for forensic testing. "It was just a very unusual thing to find in that location." However, police made the decision to call off the search, with Det Fielke saying Mr Story's family had been "completely understanding" about the decision. "They are also very keen to lay Julian to rest and have his funeral so they can start to move on," he said. "We will, however, go back and search if we receive specific information about where Julian's remains might be. "But in terms of general searching in Port Lincoln, that has now stopped." Police found Mr Story's body after firefighters were called to the Flinders Highway property at Port Lincoln following reports of a blaze. Chesser, who police said had been in a relationship with Mr Story for several months, was arrested on June 19 after Mr Story's body was found at the couple's home. She appeared in court in June via video link from psychiatric facility James Nash House. Det Fielke said police had not been able to interview Chesser. Previous searches were paused on July 1 as police reviewed CCTV footage to pinpoint the movements of the ex-reality TV star accused of his murder. She was known to walk through back streets and parks in the Port Lincoln area with her dogs. Authorities are appealing for anyone with information or footage that might help the police investigation. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491
The Advertiser
15-07-2025
- The Advertiser
Workmate shares alleged plan to 'roofie' murder victim
An accused murderer planned to drug his ex-girlfriend and crash her in a car so he could scare her out of taking their house, one of his workmates claims. Benjamin O'Keefe told the Victorian Supreme Court that Lachlan Young shared his plan to harm his former partner Hannah McGuire on April 2, 2024. "He started talking about wanting to roofie Hannah and take her out bush and scare her so she wouldn't take the house and other things from him," Mr O'Keefe said in evidence on Tuesday. Mr O'Keefe claimed Young asked him to act as a getaway driver, which he ultimately declined after speaking to his girlfriend. Two days later, Mr O'Keefe said he received another message from Young asking him to meet at a nearby corner at midnight. Mr O'Keefe told the jury he went to the designated spot without his phone but Young wasn't there so he returned home. He then heard a car horn and went to his front lawn to see Young waiting inside an orange Mitsubishi Triton. Mr O'Keefe told the jury he did not look inside the ute and instead just obeyed Young's instructions to follow behind in his vehicle. He claimed they went out to remote bushland where Young drove the Triton into some trees and then ordered Mr O'Keefe to turn his car around. Young then used a yellow blow torch to set fire to the front of the Triton, Mr O'Keefe told the jury. After holding the blowtorch there for a few minutes, it's alleged Young then returned to Mr O'Keefe's car but told him to wait a minute. "(We were) just watching the car to make sure it caught on fire," Mr O'Keefe told the jury. "That's what Lachie wanted." Mr O'Keefe claimed Young gave him $45 after the incident although he never explained why. Young is accused of murdering Ms McGuire in the early hours of April 5, before driving her body in the Triton to remote bushland and setting the ute alight. The 23-year-old has admitted to killing Ms McGuire but denies the charge of murder, claiming her death was a spontaneous and unplanned incident. In his opening address, defence barrister Glenn Casement told the jury they should be critical of Mr O'Keefe's evidence, saying he was not a credible witness. Mr Casement is expected to cross-examine Mr O'Keefe on Wednesday after senior crown prosecutor Kristie Churchill finishes her questioning. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 An accused murderer planned to drug his ex-girlfriend and crash her in a car so he could scare her out of taking their house, one of his workmates claims. Benjamin O'Keefe told the Victorian Supreme Court that Lachlan Young shared his plan to harm his former partner Hannah McGuire on April 2, 2024. "He started talking about wanting to roofie Hannah and take her out bush and scare her so she wouldn't take the house and other things from him," Mr O'Keefe said in evidence on Tuesday. Mr O'Keefe claimed Young asked him to act as a getaway driver, which he ultimately declined after speaking to his girlfriend. Two days later, Mr O'Keefe said he received another message from Young asking him to meet at a nearby corner at midnight. Mr O'Keefe told the jury he went to the designated spot without his phone but Young wasn't there so he returned home. He then heard a car horn and went to his front lawn to see Young waiting inside an orange Mitsubishi Triton. Mr O'Keefe told the jury he did not look inside the ute and instead just obeyed Young's instructions to follow behind in his vehicle. He claimed they went out to remote bushland where Young drove the Triton into some trees and then ordered Mr O'Keefe to turn his car around. Young then used a yellow blow torch to set fire to the front of the Triton, Mr O'Keefe told the jury. After holding the blowtorch there for a few minutes, it's alleged Young then returned to Mr O'Keefe's car but told him to wait a minute. "(We were) just watching the car to make sure it caught on fire," Mr O'Keefe told the jury. "That's what Lachie wanted." Mr O'Keefe claimed Young gave him $45 after the incident although he never explained why. Young is accused of murdering Ms McGuire in the early hours of April 5, before driving her body in the Triton to remote bushland and setting the ute alight. The 23-year-old has admitted to killing Ms McGuire but denies the charge of murder, claiming her death was a spontaneous and unplanned incident. In his opening address, defence barrister Glenn Casement told the jury they should be critical of Mr O'Keefe's evidence, saying he was not a credible witness. Mr Casement is expected to cross-examine Mr O'Keefe on Wednesday after senior crown prosecutor Kristie Churchill finishes her questioning. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 An accused murderer planned to drug his ex-girlfriend and crash her in a car so he could scare her out of taking their house, one of his workmates claims. Benjamin O'Keefe told the Victorian Supreme Court that Lachlan Young shared his plan to harm his former partner Hannah McGuire on April 2, 2024. "He started talking about wanting to roofie Hannah and take her out bush and scare her so she wouldn't take the house and other things from him," Mr O'Keefe said in evidence on Tuesday. Mr O'Keefe claimed Young asked him to act as a getaway driver, which he ultimately declined after speaking to his girlfriend. Two days later, Mr O'Keefe said he received another message from Young asking him to meet at a nearby corner at midnight. Mr O'Keefe told the jury he went to the designated spot without his phone but Young wasn't there so he returned home. He then heard a car horn and went to his front lawn to see Young waiting inside an orange Mitsubishi Triton. Mr O'Keefe told the jury he did not look inside the ute and instead just obeyed Young's instructions to follow behind in his vehicle. He claimed they went out to remote bushland where Young drove the Triton into some trees and then ordered Mr O'Keefe to turn his car around. Young then used a yellow blow torch to set fire to the front of the Triton, Mr O'Keefe told the jury. After holding the blowtorch there for a few minutes, it's alleged Young then returned to Mr O'Keefe's car but told him to wait a minute. "(We were) just watching the car to make sure it caught on fire," Mr O'Keefe told the jury. "That's what Lachie wanted." Mr O'Keefe claimed Young gave him $45 after the incident although he never explained why. Young is accused of murdering Ms McGuire in the early hours of April 5, before driving her body in the Triton to remote bushland and setting the ute alight. The 23-year-old has admitted to killing Ms McGuire but denies the charge of murder, claiming her death was a spontaneous and unplanned incident. In his opening address, defence barrister Glenn Casement told the jury they should be critical of Mr O'Keefe's evidence, saying he was not a credible witness. Mr Casement is expected to cross-examine Mr O'Keefe on Wednesday after senior crown prosecutor Kristie Churchill finishes her questioning. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 An accused murderer planned to drug his ex-girlfriend and crash her in a car so he could scare her out of taking their house, one of his workmates claims. Benjamin O'Keefe told the Victorian Supreme Court that Lachlan Young shared his plan to harm his former partner Hannah McGuire on April 2, 2024. "He started talking about wanting to roofie Hannah and take her out bush and scare her so she wouldn't take the house and other things from him," Mr O'Keefe said in evidence on Tuesday. Mr O'Keefe claimed Young asked him to act as a getaway driver, which he ultimately declined after speaking to his girlfriend. Two days later, Mr O'Keefe said he received another message from Young asking him to meet at a nearby corner at midnight. Mr O'Keefe told the jury he went to the designated spot without his phone but Young wasn't there so he returned home. He then heard a car horn and went to his front lawn to see Young waiting inside an orange Mitsubishi Triton. Mr O'Keefe told the jury he did not look inside the ute and instead just obeyed Young's instructions to follow behind in his vehicle. He claimed they went out to remote bushland where Young drove the Triton into some trees and then ordered Mr O'Keefe to turn his car around. Young then used a yellow blow torch to set fire to the front of the Triton, Mr O'Keefe told the jury. After holding the blowtorch there for a few minutes, it's alleged Young then returned to Mr O'Keefe's car but told him to wait a minute. "(We were) just watching the car to make sure it caught on fire," Mr O'Keefe told the jury. "That's what Lachie wanted." Mr O'Keefe claimed Young gave him $45 after the incident although he never explained why. Young is accused of murdering Ms McGuire in the early hours of April 5, before driving her body in the Triton to remote bushland and setting the ute alight. The 23-year-old has admitted to killing Ms McGuire but denies the charge of murder, claiming her death was a spontaneous and unplanned incident. In his opening address, defence barrister Glenn Casement told the jury they should be critical of Mr O'Keefe's evidence, saying he was not a credible witness. Mr Casement is expected to cross-examine Mr O'Keefe on Wednesday after senior crown prosecutor Kristie Churchill finishes her questioning. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491
Perth Now
15-07-2025
- Perth Now
Workmate shares alleged plan to 'roofie' murder victim
An accused murderer planned to drug his ex-girlfriend and crash her in a car so he could scare her out of taking their house, one of his workmates claims. Benjamin O'Keefe told the Victorian Supreme Court that Lachlan Young shared his plan to harm his former partner Hannah McGuire on April 2, 2024. "He started talking about wanting to roofie Hannah and take her out bush and scare her so she wouldn't take the house and other things from him," Mr O'Keefe said in evidence on Tuesday. Mr O'Keefe claimed Young asked him to act as a getaway driver, which he ultimately declined after speaking to his girlfriend. Two days later, Mr O'Keefe said he received another message from Young asking him to meet at a nearby corner at midnight. Mr O'Keefe told the jury he went to the designated spot without his phone but Young wasn't there so he returned home. He then heard a car horn and went to his front lawn to see Young waiting inside an orange Mitsubishi Triton. Mr O'Keefe told the jury he did not look inside the ute and instead just obeyed Young's instructions to follow behind in his vehicle. He claimed they went out to remote bushland where Young drove the Triton into some trees and then ordered Mr O'Keefe to turn his car around. Young then used a yellow blow torch to set fire to the front of the Triton, Mr O'Keefe told the jury. After holding the blowtorch there for a few minutes, it's alleged Young then returned to Mr O'Keefe's car but told him to wait a minute. "(We were) just watching the car to make sure it caught on fire," Mr O'Keefe told the jury. "That's what Lachie wanted." Mr O'Keefe claimed Young gave him $45 after the incident although he never explained why. Young is accused of murdering Ms McGuire in the early hours of April 5, before driving her body in the Triton to remote bushland and setting the ute alight. The 23-year-old has admitted to killing Ms McGuire but denies the charge of murder, claiming her death was a spontaneous and unplanned incident. In his opening address, defence barrister Glenn Casement told the jury they should be critical of Mr O'Keefe's evidence, saying he was not a credible witness. Mr Casement is expected to cross-examine Mr O'Keefe on Wednesday after senior crown prosecutor Kristie Churchill finishes her questioning. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491
The Advertiser
11-07-2025
- The Advertiser
Accused killer's ex didn't move after ute set alight
A woman did not try to move after an accused murderer allegedly set fire to the ute she was in, a jury has been told. Forensic analyst Laura Noonan gave evidence in the Victorian Supreme Court that Hannah McGuire's body remained in the same position during the April 2024 car fire. "There didn't appear to be any attempts to move," Ms Noonan told the jury on Friday. Prosecutors allege Lachlan Young, 23, murdered Ms McGuire in the early hours of April 5 and then drove her body to remote bushland in Scarsdale, southwest of Ballarat, before setting the ute alight. Young admits killing his former girlfriend and then trying to stage her death as a suicide but denies the charge of murder. He instead claims her death was an unplanned and spontaneous incident. On the third day of Young's murder trial in Ballarat, Ms Noonan told the jury there was no evidence flammable liquids were used to set the ute alight. The severe damage caused to the vehicle was likely because the blaze had burned for about six hours before it was discovered, she said. The forensic expert told the jury Ms McGuire's body was found in the rear passenger footwell of her orange Mitsubishi Triton. Her body was resting on its left side with her head facing towards the rear of the ute, Ms Noonan said. Ms McGuire's remains were significantly burnt in the blaze, although Ms Noonan said the side of her body resting against the ute's floor was less badly damaged. That indicated her body had been in the same position at the time the fire was lit and throughout the duration of the blaze, the expert said. It was also unlikely that Ms McGuire had been resting on the back seat and then fell into the footwell, she said. She believed the fire was started near the front passenger seat as the damage appeared to be more severe in that section of the vehicle. Firefighter Alwyn Parker also gave evidence as he was one of the first to respond to the ute fire on the morning of April 5. He told the jury the ute was no longer alight when his fire crew arrived about 9.55am, although two tree trunks alongside the vehicle were smouldering. Mr Parker said he thought it was "very suspicious" how the trunks were so close to the ute. The jury on Thursday visited the site where Ms McGuire's remains were found, as well as the Sebastopol home where the alleged murder happened. Justice James Elliott on Friday thanked the jurors for their patience and courtesy throughout the inspection, noting how challenging the cold conditions had been. The trial will continue on Monday. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 A woman did not try to move after an accused murderer allegedly set fire to the ute she was in, a jury has been told. Forensic analyst Laura Noonan gave evidence in the Victorian Supreme Court that Hannah McGuire's body remained in the same position during the April 2024 car fire. "There didn't appear to be any attempts to move," Ms Noonan told the jury on Friday. Prosecutors allege Lachlan Young, 23, murdered Ms McGuire in the early hours of April 5 and then drove her body to remote bushland in Scarsdale, southwest of Ballarat, before setting the ute alight. Young admits killing his former girlfriend and then trying to stage her death as a suicide but denies the charge of murder. He instead claims her death was an unplanned and spontaneous incident. On the third day of Young's murder trial in Ballarat, Ms Noonan told the jury there was no evidence flammable liquids were used to set the ute alight. The severe damage caused to the vehicle was likely because the blaze had burned for about six hours before it was discovered, she said. The forensic expert told the jury Ms McGuire's body was found in the rear passenger footwell of her orange Mitsubishi Triton. Her body was resting on its left side with her head facing towards the rear of the ute, Ms Noonan said. Ms McGuire's remains were significantly burnt in the blaze, although Ms Noonan said the side of her body resting against the ute's floor was less badly damaged. That indicated her body had been in the same position at the time the fire was lit and throughout the duration of the blaze, the expert said. It was also unlikely that Ms McGuire had been resting on the back seat and then fell into the footwell, she said. She believed the fire was started near the front passenger seat as the damage appeared to be more severe in that section of the vehicle. Firefighter Alwyn Parker also gave evidence as he was one of the first to respond to the ute fire on the morning of April 5. He told the jury the ute was no longer alight when his fire crew arrived about 9.55am, although two tree trunks alongside the vehicle were smouldering. Mr Parker said he thought it was "very suspicious" how the trunks were so close to the ute. The jury on Thursday visited the site where Ms McGuire's remains were found, as well as the Sebastopol home where the alleged murder happened. Justice James Elliott on Friday thanked the jurors for their patience and courtesy throughout the inspection, noting how challenging the cold conditions had been. The trial will continue on Monday. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 A woman did not try to move after an accused murderer allegedly set fire to the ute she was in, a jury has been told. Forensic analyst Laura Noonan gave evidence in the Victorian Supreme Court that Hannah McGuire's body remained in the same position during the April 2024 car fire. "There didn't appear to be any attempts to move," Ms Noonan told the jury on Friday. Prosecutors allege Lachlan Young, 23, murdered Ms McGuire in the early hours of April 5 and then drove her body to remote bushland in Scarsdale, southwest of Ballarat, before setting the ute alight. Young admits killing his former girlfriend and then trying to stage her death as a suicide but denies the charge of murder. He instead claims her death was an unplanned and spontaneous incident. On the third day of Young's murder trial in Ballarat, Ms Noonan told the jury there was no evidence flammable liquids were used to set the ute alight. The severe damage caused to the vehicle was likely because the blaze had burned for about six hours before it was discovered, she said. The forensic expert told the jury Ms McGuire's body was found in the rear passenger footwell of her orange Mitsubishi Triton. Her body was resting on its left side with her head facing towards the rear of the ute, Ms Noonan said. Ms McGuire's remains were significantly burnt in the blaze, although Ms Noonan said the side of her body resting against the ute's floor was less badly damaged. That indicated her body had been in the same position at the time the fire was lit and throughout the duration of the blaze, the expert said. It was also unlikely that Ms McGuire had been resting on the back seat and then fell into the footwell, she said. She believed the fire was started near the front passenger seat as the damage appeared to be more severe in that section of the vehicle. Firefighter Alwyn Parker also gave evidence as he was one of the first to respond to the ute fire on the morning of April 5. He told the jury the ute was no longer alight when his fire crew arrived about 9.55am, although two tree trunks alongside the vehicle were smouldering. Mr Parker said he thought it was "very suspicious" how the trunks were so close to the ute. The jury on Thursday visited the site where Ms McGuire's remains were found, as well as the Sebastopol home where the alleged murder happened. Justice James Elliott on Friday thanked the jurors for their patience and courtesy throughout the inspection, noting how challenging the cold conditions had been. The trial will continue on Monday. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 A woman did not try to move after an accused murderer allegedly set fire to the ute she was in, a jury has been told. Forensic analyst Laura Noonan gave evidence in the Victorian Supreme Court that Hannah McGuire's body remained in the same position during the April 2024 car fire. "There didn't appear to be any attempts to move," Ms Noonan told the jury on Friday. Prosecutors allege Lachlan Young, 23, murdered Ms McGuire in the early hours of April 5 and then drove her body to remote bushland in Scarsdale, southwest of Ballarat, before setting the ute alight. Young admits killing his former girlfriend and then trying to stage her death as a suicide but denies the charge of murder. He instead claims her death was an unplanned and spontaneous incident. On the third day of Young's murder trial in Ballarat, Ms Noonan told the jury there was no evidence flammable liquids were used to set the ute alight. The severe damage caused to the vehicle was likely because the blaze had burned for about six hours before it was discovered, she said. The forensic expert told the jury Ms McGuire's body was found in the rear passenger footwell of her orange Mitsubishi Triton. Her body was resting on its left side with her head facing towards the rear of the ute, Ms Noonan said. Ms McGuire's remains were significantly burnt in the blaze, although Ms Noonan said the side of her body resting against the ute's floor was less badly damaged. That indicated her body had been in the same position at the time the fire was lit and throughout the duration of the blaze, the expert said. It was also unlikely that Ms McGuire had been resting on the back seat and then fell into the footwell, she said. She believed the fire was started near the front passenger seat as the damage appeared to be more severe in that section of the vehicle. Firefighter Alwyn Parker also gave evidence as he was one of the first to respond to the ute fire on the morning of April 5. He told the jury the ute was no longer alight when his fire crew arrived about 9.55am, although two tree trunks alongside the vehicle were smouldering. Mr Parker said he thought it was "very suspicious" how the trunks were so close to the ute. The jury on Thursday visited the site where Ms McGuire's remains were found, as well as the Sebastopol home where the alleged murder happened. Justice James Elliott on Friday thanked the jurors for their patience and courtesy throughout the inspection, noting how challenging the cold conditions had been. The trial will continue on Monday. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491
