Leanne Carol Prak sentenced to mandatory minimum sentence for knife-licking murder of Michael “Macca” McEvoy

A WOMAN who fatally stabbed her housemate in the heart, and then licked the bloody knife as he died, will serve the minimum jail time allowed, under law, for murder.

Leanne Carol Prak was found guilty at trial of murdering Michael McEvoy. Picture: Nine News.

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A WOMAN who fatally stabbed her housemate in the heart, and then licked the bloody knife as he died, will serve the minimum jail time allowed, under law, for murder.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court imposed the mandatory 20-year minimum non-parole period upon Leanne Carol Prak for the murder of Michael “Macca” McEvoy.

Justice David Peek said he had arrived at that sentence “with some hesitation”, given Prak’s serious actions, lack of remorse and prior history of violent offending.

However, he conceded the murder would not have happened had Prak not been grossly intoxicated, and that she had intended to serious injure, not kill, Mr McEvoy.

“I hasten to add that self-induced intoxication does not preclude nor excuse any intent to murder,” he said.

“However, there is a lack of safety in finding you actually intended to kill ... I conclude that, at the time, you intended to cause at least grevious bodily harm.”

Outside court, Mr McEvoy’s sister, Glenise Davis, expressed disappointment with the penalty but was too emotional to comment further.

Michael "Macca" McEvoy, who was murdered by Leanne Carol Prak. Picture: Supplied by Mr McEvoy's family.

Prak was grossly intoxicated when she was arrested. Picture: Nine News.

Prak, 42, was found guilty at trial of having murdered Mr McEvoy, 65, at his Holden Hill unit in May 2016, and was ordered to serve the mandatory sentence of life.

She was staying at the unit as Mr McEvoy’s guest because, had he not opened his new home to her, she would have been on the streets.

Despite his kindness, Prak stabbed Mr McEvoy once in the heart, licked his blood off the knife and told an eyewitness “now you can see what I’m capable of”.

Mr McEvoy collapsed, and Prak then stabbed him a further seven times in the back — when police arrived, she tried to blame the eyewitness for her crime.

She had been drinking red wine, from Powerade bottles, all day prior to the crime and her blood alcohol level during the murder was 0.37.

In December, Mr McEvoy’s family told Prak she had robbed him of not only his life but also his dreams, as he had waited years for a home of his own.

On Tuesday, Justice Peek said the victim impact statements showed Prak had “caused irreparable harm and loss” to the family.

“You should reflect on what you heard in those statements ... you have made no apology to those close to Mr McEvoy, in court or otherwise,” he said.

He said Prak had spent most of her psychiatric appointments talking about herself and her own problems, leaving her prospects of rehabilitation “somewhat guarded”.

“It seems to me your life to date has been largely dominated by the negative influence of your alcohol addiction, and no doubt the abuse you have suffered has contributed,” he said.

“You would do well to reflect on this during the long period in jail you have in front of you.”

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