Ashley Feetham jailed for murdering Dylan Bond
The fate of the man who murdered young Corio dad Dylan Bond following conflict caused by a messy love triangle has been revealed.
Geelong
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The man who murdered young Corio dad Dylan Bond in the aftermath of a messy love triangle has been jailed for more than two decades.
Ashley Roy Feetham, 25, was found guilty by a jury one month ago of murdering Dylan Bond and seriously injuring his brother Heath Bond in a Thomson home on April 26, 2021.
Feetham was jailed for 22 years on Thursday.
More than two dozen of the victim’s family and friends rose to their feet and applauded in the courtroom when the verdict was delivered.
They could be seen cheering as Feetham was led from the court, with one woman calling out “bye, bye”. Members of Feetham’s family, mostly dressed in all back, held their heads in their hands as the sentence was read out. They were jeered by Dylan Bond’s family.
Throughout the course of the emotional trial the jury was told of the relationship between Feetham, Heath Bond and a woman named Abbey Sexton.
Ms Sexton was engaged to Heath Bond, however, their relationship broke down when Heath found messages from Feetham to Ms Sexton that revealed they were in a romantic relationship.
In the early hours of April 25, one day prior to the murder, Heath and Ms Sexton met in the Geelong CBD a few weeks after their break-up.
Feetham, who was seeing Ms Sexton, assaulted Heath.
The following day, Heath’s brother Dylan found out about the assault and had planned to meet with Feetham.
Feetham found out and decided to take the first step by messaging Dylan on Facebook.
The messages quickly became heated and Feetham sent a message to Dylan that read, “you do realise there are kids there and I will have no remorse in chucking you in your own boot,” the court heard.
Dylan and Heath went to the Thomson home where Feetham was staying about 3.14pm.
During the trial, Crown Prosecutor Mark Gibson said Feetham had psyched himself up to take on two guys.
Mr Gibson said Feetham had armed himself with a knife knowing the two men would come inside the house to confront him.
In sentencing, Justice Stephen Kaye told the court he believed the Bond brothers had intended to assault and confront Feetham over his actions in the Geelong CBD on April 25.
On Thursday, the court heard Heath had gone around the side of the house to get inside the home and forcefully opened the side door.
It is believed Feetham has then rushed at Heath with the knife, causing him serious injury.
Moments later, Heath yelled “knife” and Dylan came inside the house.
A tussle took place and Dylan, 26, was fatally stabbed.
Feetham left the scene to go to the Geelong hospital while emergency services arrived.
Justice Kaye said Feetham was to be sentenced on the basis that after the two men arrived at the premises, he took possession of the knife and used it to stab Heath with the intent of causing serious injury, and was not acting in lawful self defence.
“At the time which you stabbed Heath Bond, you did not think it was then necessary to do so in order to defend yourself,” Justice Kaye said.
“After Dylan Bond entered the kitchen area you stabbed him with the intention of killing him … and were not acting in lawful self defence.
“Your separation from your partner Abbey, and your young daughter will render your time in custody more onerous.
“You will miss out on the opportunity to be part of the childhood and development of your daughter.”
Justice Kaye imposed a total effective jail sentence of 22 years.
Feetham, who has already been in custody for 168 days, will be eligible for parole after he has served 16 years.
Dylan’s widow Grace Wilson told the court she had been married to Dylan just nine weeks prior to his death.
“He was my biggest support person, the love of my life,” she said.
“I will never get the family I always dreamt of, and never got a chance to say goodbye.”
satria.dyer-darmawan@news.com.au
Originally published as Ashley Feetham jailed for murdering Dylan Bond
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