‘Besotted’ love triangle man Anthony James Lloyd blames ex for acid attack on body-in-bin victim Geoff McLean

A man who claimed he was “worn down” by his ex-lover sobbed as he learned his fate for throwing a bucket of acid over Geoff McLean – who was later decapitated and dumped in a bin.

A cowardly man caught in a love triangle, who ambushed Geoffrey McLean by dumping a bucket of acid on him, and trying to set him alight – months before his alleged murder – will spend at least three years behind bars.

On Wednesday, Anthony James Lloyd put his head in his hands and wept as the District Court said there was no excuse for his “serious, unprovoked” sneak attack upon a defenceless man.

Judge Joanne Tracey noted Lloyd blamed Sheree May Glastonbury – who was his ex, as well as Mr McLean’s partner and alleged murderer – for the crime, but said that mattered little.

“You had known Ms Glastonbury for nine years and say you were besotted with her, feeling your relationship never officially ended,” she said.

“You say you loaned her money, purchased a car for her and provided her with accommodation, and that she had made allegations about Mr McLean’s behaviour toward her.

“You say she suggested you should throw acid on Mr McLean and that she finally wore you down.

“Whatever Ms Glastonbury’s role in your decision to offend, your offending was violent, premeditated and cowardly.”

Sheree May Glastonbury, left, with Geoffrey McLean – who she is accused of murdering. Picture: 7NEWS

Lloyd, 63, who is not charged with Mr McLean’s alleged murder, pleaded guilty to one aggravated count of causing serious harm with intent.

On May 10 last year, he doused Mr McLean with a mixture of petrol and hydrochloric acid.

Mr McLean subsequently went missing and, after his partial remains were found in a wheelie bin, Ms Glastonbury and another man – Mark John Murphy – were charged with murder.

Ms Glastonbury was in a relationship with Mr McLean at the time of his disappearance.

Previously, Lloyd’s counsel claimed their client was “besotted” with Ms Glastonbury, had an on-off relationship with her, and threw the acid at her suggestion.

They also had his sentencing, originally scheduled for May, postponed due to “confidential” reasons and the need for “further inquiries”.

In sentencing on Wednesday, Judge Tracey said Lloyd had tipped “a bucket filled” with acid and petrol on Mr McLean, then tried to set him alight when he fought back.

Mr McLean had, she said, sustained full-thickness burns and scarring to the left side of body, facial disfigurement and breathing difficulties from fumes.

That had, she said, left him “broken, sad, depressed” and unwilling to see even his own daughter due to his appearance.

She accepted Lloyd was genuinely remorseful, despite having “downplayed” his crime by claiming he “didn’t mean to aim for” Mr McLean’s face.

“I accept you have good prospects for rehabilitation, despite your apparent willingness to be so influenced by someone that you would commit such serious offending,” she said.

Judge Tracey backdated Lloyd’s 5 1/2-year prison term and three-year non-parole period to his arrest in May 2022.