Blaze Pearce guilty of brutal Mackay murder

SUGAR mill worker Michael “Mick” Gelens died a brutal death and now his killer has his own life sentence.

Accused Blaze Seaton Pearce.

SUGAR mill worker Michael "Mick" Gelens died a brutal death and now his killer has his own life sentence.

A Mackay jury simply did not believe the defence argument of Blaze Seaton Pearce, that he was acting in self defence when he savagely beat then stabbed to death Mr Gelens.

In less than 50 minutes late yesterday the Supreme Court jury reached its verdict that Pearce was guilty of murder.

Mr Gelens, 43, a sugar mill worker, was bashed and stabbed on December 18, 2012, after arriving home from work.

The fatal wound was inflicted to his neck, a stab wound that slashed across the carotid artery and jugular vein.

The Daily Mercury can reveal Pearce has an extensive criminal history.

He was found guilty but later acquitted, at a retrial, in relation to another violent killing in Brisbane (story P4).

He also used a samurai sword to terrify a young man during a 2004 robbery.

Justice David North sentenced Pearce, 38, to life imprisonment for the murder of Mr Gelens.

"You are convicted of a brutal, savage murder," Justice North said.

"The deceased was subject to a prolonged beating. There is some evidence of premeditation."

Pearce has already spent 665 days held in remand, awaiting trial.

When the jury returned its guilty verdict, Pearce was silent in the dock and gave no outward sign of emotion.

In a victim impact statement, read by Crown prosecutor Michael Cowen , Mr Gelens' sister described her brother as being "a man of no regrets" and one who usually held no hard feelings against people.

However, his sister said silent screams now haunted her mind daily.

She had viewed his body and said he looked frightened and "not at peace".

She said her brother would only want the appropriate legal sentence so that he could rest in peace.

During the five-day trial, Pearce claimed he acted in self defence after Mr Gelens came at him with a weapon.

In unsubstantiated evidence, he alleged Mr Gelens may have previously sexually assaulted him.

Originally published as Blaze Pearce guilty of brutal Mackay murder