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A man has been sentenced to a minimum of 24 years in prison for the horrific murder of his partner, whom he stabbed to death before setting her body on fire. The tragic incident stemmed from a heated argument involving drugs, money, and another woman.
The 37-year-old offender received a life sentence on Friday, with eligibility for parole set after 24 years.
During the sentencing, Justice Natalie Whitby described the attack on Hay as “sustained, relentless, and brutal,” noting that the victim was stabbed multiple times in the head, neck, and body, with fatal wounds to her heart, liver, and lungs.
“She was unable to defend herself against your fury while you wielded a lethal weapon,” Justice Whitby emphasized.
The court heard the harrowing detail that one of Hay’s daughters might have witnessed the aftermath of the attack, potentially seeing her mother’s lifeless body on the floor.
“After you repeatedly stabbed her and she had fallen and hit her head, you continued to stab her,” Justice Whitby said.
“Erica was defenceless against your violence.
“Erica’s injuries were horrific.”
Sekkouah, a methylamphetamine user, left the house and bought a six-pack of beer from a nearby liquor store.
He then stole a bottle of turpentine from an IGA supermarket and returned to the home.
In the early hours of the next morning, he poured it on Hay and some furniture and ignited it.
“Your intention to incinerate Erica’s body after you had killed her was a vile and degrading act,” Justice Whitby said.
“This attempt to cover up was deliberate and planned.
“Your offending is the most extreme form of domestic violence.”
Sekkouah, who was covered in tattoos and sat motionless in court, then scooped up Hay’s daughter and ran from the house to a neighbour’s home and asked them to call emergency services.
Firefighters found Hay’s partially burned body lying in a hallway.
Sekkouah, a mechanical fitter, told police he was sleeping in the house when it filled with smoke and he ran out after grabbing Hay’s daughter.
Detectives became suspicious when they learned Sekkouah had not suffered from smoke inhalation and saw Hay’s 23 injuries.
Hay was a mother, daughter, sister and a friend, Justice Whitby said.
“No term of imprisonment can measure the value of her life,” she said.
“She had so much life ahead of her.”
Sekkouah initially fought the murder charge, pleading guilty on the first day of a trial.
He then disputed the facts, triggering a multi-day hearing to resolve the issues.
Justice Whitby was scathing of Sekkouah’s apology letter, saying his “sustained and deceptive conduct demonstrated a lack of remorse”.
The court heard Sekkouah suffered Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and lacked the skills to manage relationships. He drank alcohol and used cannabis daily.
Outside of court, Hay’s childhood friend, Amanda Broad, said she hoped Sekkouah “rots in hell” and he should not have been given a non-parole period.
“I just want my friend back and I’m never going to get her back,” she said, crying.
“He gets to sit pretty in prison … my friend doesn’t, my friend is gone.”