Adam Davies’ family speaks out after Graham Cleary’s sentence

The family of a young Ipswich dad stabbed to death in a senseless attack by a man he’d never met have revealed the ongoing effects the incident has had on their lives.

“While you will serve what will feel like a minimal amount of time, it is our family who are left with the life sentence.”

They are the words of a furious Allison Massey, the mother of young Raceview man Adam Davies, who on the morning of January 5, 2019, was killed with a single stab wound to his abdomen by hardened Moores Pocket criminal Graham Shawn Cleary, 48.

Cleary was sentenced on Monday by Justice Glenn Martin to serve at least 50 per cent of his nine-year head sentence for the manslaughter of Mr Davies.

Court

Audible gasps were heard in the courtroom when Justice Martin declined to declare Cleary as being convicted of a serious violent offence, which would have required him under legislation to serve out at least 80 per cent of his sentence before being allowed to apply for parole.

Davies’ mother and brother Steven had their victim impact statements read to the court by Crown prosecutor Clayton Wallis, while sister Cindy-Lee read her own statement.

Mrs Massey told the court her “heart will forever be broken”.

“He was a kind and generous person.

“He never asked for much.”

Stabbing victim Adam Davies, 29, of Raceview. Picture: Supplied

What Adam wanted most in the world, she said, was a family.

“He always wanted a child and when he had one, he didn’t get to raise her to her first birthday,” Mrs Massey said.

“Adam will never see her grow up.

“We live daily with Adam’s daughter asking, ‘Why is daddy in heaven?’

“A question we still can’t answer and have no reason why.”

Steven also pondered the effect of Adam’s death on children, this time his own.

“My sons, they will no longer have the chance to know their uncle Adam with the big goofy smile,” he said.

“He will forever be on my mind.

“The day he was killed, I lost my brother, my best friend.”

Moores Pocket man Graham Shawn Cleary, 48. Picture: Facebook

Cindy-Lee, meanwhile, said she struggled to show her face in the Ipswich community following Adam’s death.

“I received disgusting text messages telling me Adam got what he deserved just days after his life was taken,” she told the court in a wavering voice.

“I had to explain to my boss I could no longer fulfil my duties at work and seek external help from a counsellor.

“I was lost and broken.”

Cleary will be eligible for parole on July 4, 2023.