A retired school teacher, murdered in his Lithgow home three years ago, died "a needless, painful and lonely death" from his many stab wounds, a court has heard.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Passing sentence on one of two people charged over Christopher Whiteley's murder, Justice Monika Schmidt said he had been abandoned after he was robbed and left lying on the floor of his home, bleeding from his wounds
Ammie Douglass will spend a maximum 26 years in jail for the murder of Christopher Whiteley after being sentenced in the NSW Supreme Court by Justice Monika Schmidt on April 3.
She will serve out a minimum non-parole period of 19 years, six months, making her eligible for release on April 4, 2036.
Her co-accused, whose identity has been suppressed and was known at sentencing as 'A', was sentenced on August 3, 2018, after pleading guilty.
He was sentenced to a non-parole period of 16 years and 11 months, commencing on October 5, 2016. He will be eligible for parole on September 4, 2033.
The results of his sentence were not able to be made public until after Douglass' sentencing date.
A jury found Douglass guilty of murder in December 2017.
The jury heard that Mr Whiteley, a retired school teacher who lived alone in Lithgow, spoke to his brother on Sunday morning, August 7, 2016.
It was heard that 'A' and Douglass went to Mr Whiteley's home either on or after that date intending to steal from him.
Mr Whiteley became aware that 'A' and Douglass had entered through the back of the home. There was a struggle during which Mr Whiteley was stabbed repeatedly by one or both of the accused.
The jury heard the two left Mr Whiteley seriously injured on the floor of his lounge room while they searched the home, leaving with money they found.
They did not call for assistance.
'A' then returned to the scene and covered Mr Whiteley's body. He and Douglass returned to the home several times in order to search the premises.
It was noted in the sentencing report that 'A' estimated a sum of about $60,000 in total was taken from the home.
On April 9, a grounds-keeper for a local healthcare provider found gloves, a balaclava and a knife on a raised garden bed a short distance from the home but Mr Whiteley's body was not found until September 7.
He was found to have suffered six stab wounds to the chest and two other injuries, one of which was on his hand, suggesting Mr Whiteley had tried to defend himself. A forensic examination suggested his death was due to blood loss as a result of his injuries.
Evidence was provided at trial from people who stated 'A' and Douglass told them about what they had done to Mr Whiteley. Police learned of this and later discussions were intercepted and recorded.
During a search of a Bowenfels property on September 27, Mr Whiteley's Medicare card was found in a cupboard. Firearms and ammunition were also found on the premises.
'A' and Douglass were arrested at Wallerawang and charged with murder on October 5, 2016.
According to Douglass' sentencing report, her co-accused, 'A', "later admitted his role in the murder and also offered to give evidence at Ms Douglass' trial about her involvement, thereby providing assistance for which he received a discount on his sentence".
In Douglass' evidence at trial, Justice Schmidt noted she denied having been with 'A' at Mr Whiteley's house, or having stabbed Mr Whiteley, despite an earlier contradictory statement she had made to police.
Justice Schmidt noted that the jury's verdict in Douglass' case did not mean that she was responsible for any of Mr Whiteley's stab wounds. However, she considered that her moral culpability for the murder was "considerable".
"I have concluded that a finding that her offence fell below the mid-range would not adequately reflect her involvement in the terrible events which led to Mr Whiteley dying a needless, painful and lonely death from his many stab wounds, after 'A' and Ms Douglass abandoned him to his fate, after they had robbed him, lying on the floor of his home, bleeding from his wounds," Justice Schmidt noted.
Douglass maintained her innocence throughout the trial.
