Smiling killer jailed

Prison for man who murdered neighbour after parking dispute

GRINNING gunman Dale Edward Stone has been jailed for more than two decades after murdering a Melbourne neighbour over a long-running parking dispute.

The victim, Wayne Binse, was shot in the groin and face in December 2017 on the nature strip of the Deer Park street where both men lived.

Stone grinned after firing the shots that killed the halfbrother of notorious crime figure Christopher “Badness” Binse.

“This was a premeditated, at least in-part planned, execution of an entirely innocent man,” Justice Paul Coghlan said in his sentence yesterday.

On the day of the murder the 50-year-old broke the windows and shut the gate of Mr Binse’s property.

When Mr Binse and his partner arrived home, Stone approached their car and fired a 12-gauge shotgun, hitting the victim in the groin. He asked Mr Binse “do you think you’re smart now?” and shot him in the head at close range, smiling afterwards.

“The pain and anguish of all the victims is clear but in particular that of the members of the family,” Justice Coghlan said.

In his sentence the judge took into account Stone’s deteriorating mental health before the shooting, and his alcohol and drug abuse.

Justice Coghlan found Stone had a real possibility of improved mental health and was a reasonable prospect for rehabilitation.

The victim’s half-brother, armed robber Christopher Binse, infamously taunted police by sending them postcards while on the run and shot at officers during a siege.

Family of Wayne Binse yesterday thanked the judge.

Stone was ordered to spend 21 years and three months in prison for the murder and possessing an unregistered handgun.

He will be eligible for release on parole after serving 18 years behind bars.