Share and Follow
A man who viciously stabbed his partner to death and set her body on fire following a dispute over drugs, money, and another woman, has been sentenced to a minimum of 24 years in prison.
The 37-year-old was handed a life sentence on Friday, with the stipulation that he is not eligible for parole for at least 24 years.
The attacker, Sekkouah, inflicted multiple stab wounds to Hay’s head, neck, and body, striking her heart, liver, and lungs in what Justice Natalie Whitby described as a “sustained, relentless, and brutal” assault.
Justice Whitby remarked, “She was defenseless against your fury while you wielded a lethal weapon.”
During the attack, one of Hay’s daughters was reportedly present in the home and may have witnessed her mother lying lifeless on the floor, the court heard.
“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.”
NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.