Two men who killed a 68-year-old man at his own home during a meth-fuelled burglary in WA’s South West has been given lengthy prison terms.
Warning: This story contains graphic descriptions of violence
Raymond Smith was fatally assaulted in his Greenbushes home, about 240 kilometres south of Perth, in December 2023 during a robbery by three men who had gone there to steal cannabis.
He was reported missing and his body was eventually found by homicide detectives almost a month later.
A Supreme Court trial found James Terence Hunt, 33, guilty of Mr Smith’s murder, and Paul Douglas May, 43, guilty of his manslaughter.
James Hunt (left) and Paul May (right) were convicted by a jury earlier this month. (Supplied: Anne Barnetson)
Hunt was today sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 21 years, while May was jailed for 17 years, but will be eligible for parole after serving 15.
‘Gratuitous’ violence
Justice Amanda Forrester said the men’s robbery plan was driven by a “desire to feed your methylamphetamine habits”.
She said Hunt had engaged in “particularly gratuitous” violence, dragging Mr Smith by his hair to the bathroom, and stomping on him after binding his hands with cling wrap.
James Hunt and Paul May entered the back door of Raymond Smith’s home with beanies pulled down over their faces. (Supplied: WA Supreme Court)
Justice Forrester said Hunt stomped on Mr Smith’s torso a number of times with “severe force” and May helped restrain him.
Neither man had shown remorse, she said.
Mr Smith lived alone in his Greenbushes home, where he grew marijuana — making him a target for burglary by Hunt, May and a third man, Kevin Potter, the trial heard.
Mr Smith disappeared after the home invasion at his house in December, 2023, and was later found dead. (
ABC News: Anthony Pancia
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The trio were methylamphetamine users and had injected drugs before the burglary.
Potter had previously been given a life sentence with a minimum of 15 years after pleading guilty to murder.
He was a friend of Mr Smith’s who admitted betraying him, and was the key witness against Hunt and May.
Loving dad
Mr Smith’s daughter Bronwyn told the court that while their relationship was complicated, he was a loving dad and grandfather.
She said she suffered anxiety and pain every time she thought about how her father felt as he was dying.
“His greatest fear was dying alone in his home,” she said.
Bronwyn Smith, daughter of Raymond Smith, commended the judge’s decision. (ABC News: Dave Weber)
“I keep imagining my father’s broken body.”
Face bound with cling film
The court heard that at the time of the murder, Hunt was on an intensive supervision order for aggravated burglary, stealing and drug offences.
During the trial, Hunt pleaded guilty to assaulting a man in Bunbury.
James Hunt pleaded guilty to another crime during the trial. (Supplied: WA Police)
Hunt had bound the victim’s face with cling wrap, and stabbed him with a texta before banging his head on a bench.
His sentence for that crime will be served concurrently with his murder sentence.
