‘HOLE IN MY HEART’
Heartbroken father tells of pain as local cricketer’s killer jailed
A MAN has been jailed for at least four years for fatally stabbing local Geelong cricketer Mathew Baum (pictured above) during a scuffle at a Lara home.
A court heard of the devastation of Mr Baum’s family, with his father saying the loss had “left a hole in my heart” as Michael Allan Ackerley was sentenced for manslaughter.
A MAN has been jailed for at least four years for fatally stabbing Geelong cricketer Mathew Baum during a brief scuffle inside a Lara home.
Michael Allan Ackerley, 50, of Lara, was sentenced on Friday at the Supreme Court after previously pleading guilty to manslaughter.
Justice Rita Incerti labelled Mr Baum’s death as tragic and unnecessary as she sentenced Ackerley to a maximum prison term of 6½ years.
He and the 41-year-old victim were housemates when a confrontation erupted in February last year after they had been drinking together at their Patullos Road property.
Mr Baum initially assaulted Ackerley, leaving him with injuries to his head, after accusing the 50-year-old of stealing his phone.
He left the house but returned later in the evening when a second altercation took place inside a kitchen.
Ackerley had armed himself with a 47cm-long knife and, during “pushing and slapping” that lasted up to 10 seconds, stabbed his housemate once to the groin.
The victim stumbled outside to a carport where he collapsed and died.
Justice Incerti said while she accepted Ackerley did not intend to stab Mr Baum, his “tragically poor” decision to arm himself with a knife and point it towards the victim resulted in the death.
“You made an unintelligent decision to arm yourself with a knife and you knew it was wrong in the circumstances where you were no doubt afraid,” she said.
At the time of his death, Mr Baum was a senior player at North Geelong Cricket Club.
Multiple victim impact statements from his family were read aloud at a previous court hearing, including from Neville Baum, who described his son’s death as senseless.
“This tragedy has left a hole in my heart that will never heal,” Mr Baum Sr said.
“No parent should ever have to bury their child.”
Justice Incerti said the result of Ackerley’s actions had been “nothing short of devastating” for the victim’s loved ones.
“Mr Baum’s family is suffering greatly from his death,” she said.
“They have been profoundly affected by your actions. They have lost a loving son and brother.
“There is nothing I can say or do to bring Mr Baum back or heal the pain his family feels.”
Ackerley was initially charged with murder before he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.
Justice Incerti said she had taken into account Ackerley’s intellectual disability and his “fear” during the fatal confrontation.
She said it was also notable that he had tried to help Mr Baum in the aftermath.
Ackerley has already served 15 months of his sentence and will be eligible for parole in 2024.