‘I hope you realise how disgusting you are’: Kids confront pro arm-wrestler Clifford Arthur Neumann who murdered Victoria Stewart

The arm wrestler who murdered an innocent mother-of-five is a “monster” and “pitiful excuse of a man” deserving no mercy, her family has told a court.

Late last year, Victoria Stewart wanted her daughter, Tara, to meet her new friend Clifford Arthur Neumann – but the young woman was wary.

“I always thought there was something off about you,” she told Neumann on Friday – as he sat in the Supreme Court dock, having confessed to murdering Ms Stewart.

“I should have hugged her tighter the last time I saw her, I should have told her I loved her more … Now, the only way I can do that is by visiting her grave.

“I didn’t even get to say goodbye … you took that away from her, you took that away from me.”

Murdered woman Victoria Stewart, who was killed by Clifford Arthur Neumann. Picture: Supplied

Neumann faces a life sentence for murder. Picture: Facebook

In her victim impact statement, her sister Naomi said Neumann deserved no mercy for his crime.

“Mum was happy to have you as a friend, she was appreciative of you, but you took advantage of that,” she said.

“You are a monster, and I hope you spend the rest of your life in a pit of grief and sorrow … if you are even human, I hope you realise how disgusting you are.

“You are a really disgusting, pitiful excuse for a man and you don’t deserve anything in this world.”

Arrested in November 2023, Neumann, 40, pleaded guilty to murder on just his second court appearance in May.

Under state law, an early guilty plea attracts a sentencing discount of up to 25 per cent, but the law also imposes a mandatory 20-year minimum term for murder.

Previously, prosecutors had alleged Neumann murdered Ms Stewart, 39, of the Fleurieu Peninsula, at Morphett Vale.

They had further alleged he and Ms Stewart were known to one another at the time – no further details about her murder have been released or revealed in court.

Prior to his arrest, Neumann has posted several photos of himself on social media, flexing his biceps, and listed his occupation as “professional arm wrestler”.

Ms Stewart’s daughter, Tara, outside court. Picture: Matt Loxton

Ms Stewart’s brother, Douglas Jones. Picture: Matt Loxton

In his victim impact statement on Friday, Ms Stewart’s brother, Douglas Jones, said Neumann’s crime had forever shattered their family.

“The candle that burned brightest, and always softest, was extinguished from our family, and you extinguished that light,” he told Neumann.

“I hope you never smile again, I hope all you know as company is your misery.”

Her mother, Patricia, said Neumann must live with the pain he had caused while her sister, Tania Laaks, said there was “no justice for this, no justification for this”.

Ms Stewart’s former husband, Jason Stewart, and partner Haydn Edwards said their children struggled to understand the loss of their mother.

“(The children) have shown incredible strength and resilience … but for your actions, they would not be in that position,” Mr Stewart said.

Justice Laura Stein remanded Neumann in custody for further sentencing submissions next month.