Andrew Shearing jailed for unprovoked stabbing attack on fiancee Ashlee Byrne

A trained chef who horrifically lunged at his fiancee with a knife in an unexplained attack of “extreme violence” has been jailed.

A trained chef who horrifically stabbed his fiancee in an unprovoked and unexplained attack of “extreme violence” while in the midst of a drug induced psychosis has been jailed for nine and a half years.

Andrew James Shearing, 33, of Mitchell Park had been preparing meals in the kitchen at the home he shared with fiancee Ashlee Byrne on April 25, 2020 when he went into the bedroom and attacked Ms Byrne as she watched television.

In sentencing, Supreme Court Justice Kevin Nicholson said the circumstances of the offending were “unusual” and involved “extreme violence”.

“You left the kitchen, entered the bedroom carrying a kitchen knife … you attacked and stabbed her at least five times in a row for no apparent reason,” he said.

“Whilst you were attacking Ashlee she tried to escape but you prevented her from leaving.”

Shearing’s father heard the commotion and opened the door, allowing Ms Byrne to escape.

“In a number of seconds and for no justification whatsoever you destroyed your former partner’s old life and left her with an existence which, every day, presents difficult challenges,” Justice Nicholson said.

Chef Andrew Shearing. Picture: Facebook.

He said a forensic psychiatric report found Shearing was suffering a drug-induced psychotic episode which involved delusional thinking and paranoia at the time of the offending.

The court has previously heard Shearing was not under the influence of methylamphetamine at the time of the offending but was a regular user of the illegal substance. The court heard he had abused drugs since he was 13, progressing to methylamphetamine at 20.

Justice Nicholson said Shearing’s psychotic state was “self-induced” by his drug taking which was “a very important consideration”.

“In my view it does not lessen your moral culpability for the horrendous conduct for which you remain fully, legally responsible,” he said.

“One cannot escape the gravity of your offending, the use of a knife, that it was an act of domestic violence, the disastrous consequences for Ashlee and her family and the fact it arose out of a self-induced psychosis caused by drug taking.”

Andrew Shearing stabbed Ashlee Byrne in their bedroom at Mitchell Park on April 25, 2020. Picture: Supplied by family

Ms Byrne’s life-threatening injuries included a “through and through wound” to her arm. During surgery her spleen was removed along with half of her bowel. She also suffered nerve damage and significant scarring.

Justice Nicholson said the physical, emotional and psychological impact had been devastating for Ms Byrne and her family.

“Ashlee now lacks self-esteem. She rarely leaves the house and has become isolated from friends and family,” he said.

Outside court Ms Byrne said she was still processing the sentence imposed but hoped it would send a message to others.

“I hope it sets a precedent for cases like this in the future so that women can feel safe and that people who do things like this to another person are forced to face the serious consequences,” she said.

She said that while her life had been upended, she also felt for Shearing’s family and hoped her former fiance could rebuild his life upon his release from prison.

Ms Byrne had previously told the court how she could “never forget” being “stuck between a knife and a locked door feeling almost certain I was going to die”.

Justice Nicholson said Shearing’s offending was out of character. He said Shearing was remorseful and had shown insight into his offending. He had been drug free since his arrest.

Shearing had pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated causing serious harm with intent over the offence, a charge which carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in jail.

After a discount for his plea, Justice Nicholson jailed Shearing for eight years, six months and 18 days with a non-parole period of six years and 10 months.