7-Eleven transgender axe attacker Evie Amati has jail term increased by four years

Transgender woman Evie Amati — who attacked three strangers with an axe at an inner west 7-Eleven has had her jail sentence increased from nine to 14 years. The “manifestly inadequate” sentence was increased on appeal. WARNING: GRAPHIC

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A transgender woman who attacked three strangers with an axe has had her ­“manifestly inadequate” jail sentence increased from nine to 14 years.

The NSW Court of Criminal Appeal also increased Evie Amati’s non-parole period from four-and-a-half years to eight years, in a majority ­decision on Monday.

A third judge wanted to ­increase the 27-year-old’s term further to a maximum of 15 and a minimum of nine years.

Amati attacked Ben Rimmer and Sharon Hacker with an axe inside a 7-Eleven at ­Enmore, then chased down nearby pedestrian Shane Redwood in January 2017.

Amati enters the 7-Eleven in Enmore carrying an axe.

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Mr Rimmer suffered a fractured nasal bone, eye socket and cheekbones and bled profusely on to the petrol station shop’s floor. Ms Hacker, struck in the back of the neck, had the potentially-fatal blow softened by thick dreadlocks, while Mr Redwood blocked the axe with his backpack.

Before the late-night attack, Amati had been on a Tinder date, felt shamed for being transgender and took a cocktail of alcohol and other drugs.

Amati speaks to Ben Rimmer while holding the axe as Sharon Hacker pays for goods.

A District Court jury last year rejected her defence of mental illness, finding her guilty of wounding with intent to murder, attempting to wound with intent to murder, and inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent to murder.

Crown barrister Maria Cinque had told the appeal court the original sentence was “so manifestly inadequate that it is an affront to the administration of justice”.

Amati unleashes her attack on Mr Rimmer and Ms Hacker.

Amati continues the attack on Mr Rimmer and Ms Hacker.

Justice Peter Johnson, ­sitting with Acting Justice Carolyn Simpson and Justice Ian Harrison, said the three ­offences involved deliberate and separate attacks.

“Each victim believed that he or she was going to die and that, in fact, was (Amati’s) intention,” he said.

Mr Rimmer in hospital after the attack.

Ben Rimmer outside the Supreme Court on Monday. Picture: AAP/Peter Rae

He noted Amati had a powerful set of subjective ­circumstances to be taken into account.

“She is an intelligent person with a troubled history which has given rise to mental health issues and presented her with clear difficulties in her life,” he said.

Amati walks out of the 7-Eleven.

But the judges agreed the sentence imposed on her was “manifestly inadequate”.

Speaking outside court, Ms Hacker said she thought the original sentence had not properly reflected the severity of the crime.

“I think now at least there is some sense that there will be a chance for her to repair the emotional problems,” she told reporters.

“I actually feel like now I can get on with my life … and keep going on and living, ‘cause that’s the chance I was afforded after this.”

Axe attack victim Sharon Hacker said she feels she can finally get on with her life. Picture: AAP/Peter Rae

Originally published as 7-Eleven transgender axe attacker Evie Amati has jail term increased by four years