Jail for ‘brutal’ murder

A MAN who was stabbed to death by a Launceston couple did not stand a chance in the face of the pair’s wanton aggression, a court has heard.

In the Supreme Court in Launceston yesterday, Justice Gregory Geason sentenced Nathan Thomas Smith, 34, of Newnham, and Belinda Leone Colbran, 41, of Ravenswood, each to 24 years’ jail for murdering Aaron Matthew Monaco, 41, on November 4, 2016.

Smith pleaded guilty to the charge just before he and Col- bran were due to be tried. A jury found Colbran guilty of the murder. Justice Geason said that after a long drinking session, Smith and Colbran went from Colbran’s home to Smith’s Newnham unit where Mr Monaco was staying “to confront Mr Monaco for outstaying his welcome and failing to look after the flat”.

Justice Geason said he did not accept Smith’s version of events that Mr Monaco came out of a bedroom holding a knife when Smith and Colbran arrived. “Mr Monaco showed no aggression towards you and Colbran,” he said.

“You attacked him, inflicting a series of wounds that caused his death … you were willing to present a false impression of the deceased and of his conduct in the lead-up to his death to obfuscate the truth.”

Justice Geason said Colbran assisted Smith by giving him the knife and restricting Mr Monaco’s movement.

“Mr Monaco stood no chance in the face of the wanton aggression [perpetrated] by Smith, supported by Colbran.”

Justice Geason described the crime as a “very serious example” of murder.

“It was callous and brutal,” he said.

“It was utterly senseless, an act of selfishness.”

Justice Geason commented on the impact of the crime.

“All of the victim impact statements have been read by me and are moving,” he said.

Outside the court, Mr Monaco’s sister, Holly MasonWhite, said her family would forever live with the impact of her brother’s murder.

“Aaron was a much loved son, brother, nephew, and friend to many,” Ms MasonWhite said.

“He was a kind, gentle man who would do anything for those he cared about.

“His murder was brutal and senseless and we will live with the impact of it forever.

“The sentences handed down today give us some mea- sure of relief that justice has been carried out.” Justice Geason said Smith had a loveless upbringing and had a history of alcohol and drug abuse.

He said Smith had also taken steps towards rehabilitation. He said Colbran had no relevant prior convictions and had been through “significant emotional hardship” and family violence, turning to alcohol and drugs as an escape.

Smith will not be eligible to apply for parole until he has served at least 14 years of his sentence, and Colbran will not be eligible to apply until she has served at least 13.

Holly Mason-White