Killers’ horrific act after brutal murder of Uber driver

The killers of a Hervey Bay Uber driver joked and reenacted the fatal stabbing shortly after the “chilling” homicide, a court has heard.

The killers of a Hervey Bay Uber driver joked and reenacted the fatal stabbing shortly after their “chilling and brutal” homicide of beloved Scott Cabrie.

A teenager, who was 17 at the time and cannot be identified, is being sentenced in Brisbane’s Supreme Court on Tuesday for Mr Cabrie’s murder while his co-accused Tye Wayne Porter is being sentenced for manslaughter.

Murdered Uber driver Scott Cabrie.

Mr Cabrie was killed during an armed robbery in which he was forced into the boot of his car and escaped but was chased and fatally stabbed near a boat ramp in Howard.

The 47-year-old’s body was later found at a boat ramp and his Nissan X-Trail was discovered burnt out.

The juvenile stabbed Mr Cabrie multiple times before finally driving a long kitchen knife fatally into his chest.

“This is a chilling and ultimately a brutal murder committed by (the juvenile),” crown prosecutor Chris Cook said.

“Mr Cabrie was murdered in cold blood simply trying to do his job.”

Tye Wayne Porter, 18.

The court heard that after the killing of Mr Cabrie the offenders returned to a home where they were witnessed joking about stabbing someone and the juvenile pretended to stab Porter in the chest.

Mr Cook said Porter was liable for manslaughter because it was a probable consequence that Mr Cabrie would be killed during the violent armed robbery.

He asked for Justice Peter Davis to find Mr Cabrie’s murder was “particularly heinous”, allowing him to sentence the juvenile beyond the nominal maximum of 10 years. He is seeking 20 to 22 years detention for the youth.

Scott Cabrie's brother Ian Cabrie outisde court on Tuesday. He later read his victim impact statement to the court. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass

The juvenile previously pleaded guilty to murder and Porter pleaded guilty to manslaughter. They have also pleaded guilty to arson, armed robbery and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

The juvenile’s barrister Charlotte Smith has argued against a finding that the murder was particularly heinous, submitting it did not fall into the most serious of such offences and there was no specific intention to kill and no significant premeditation.

“Abducting and attacking twice with a large knife for absolutely no reason at all an Uber driver who just picked him up in good faith - gee it’s hard (to find it’s not particularly heinous),” Justice Davis said.

If it was found to be particularly heinous the sentence for her client should be between 10 to 12 years, she submitted.

Ms Smith said her client did write a letter to the court but was prevented from bringing it with him today.

“He deeply appreciates the seriousness of the conduct to which he is pleading guilty,” she said.

The teen, who is wearing Hawaiian shirt and shorts, apologised through his lawyer for the attire which was what he was wearing when arrested.

Scott Cabrie's brother Ian Cabrie and Scott's best mate Cameron Thomas talk outside court on Tuesday. Picture: Patrick Billings

A large group of friends and loved ones attended court on Tuesday for the hearing, prompting the opening up of another court room. Supporters of the offenders are also in attendance.

Ian Cabrie told the court how his thoughts often went to his brother’s last moments.

“He was bundled into the back of the car at knifepoint and driven to a dark lonely boat ramp to be murdered,” Ian said reading aloud his victim impact statement.

“What were his last thoughts as he took his final breath though his lungs filling with blood. What terror did he face? Did he feel facing death without comfort at that dark lonely place, did he wonder what he’d done wrong to deserve this end.

“Within the next few days, Scott’s friends became increasingly worried about him only to learn of his violent demise of their mate Noddy.”

Ian said the ripples of the murder extended well beyond the Wide Bay community.

“The indiscriminate nature of this violent murder impacts all of us that could have been any man or woman working hard on Monday night to pay their bills,” he said.

“I still hear stories from people that didn’t know Scott, that talk of the deep sadness that they feel that such a good man could be taken so cruelly.”

For Ian, who lost both parents to cancer at a young age, Scott was “the lifeline to the stories of childhood” that had now been shut off.

“The worst will always be the painful thought that he died scared and alone. I will always wish he could have just left, continued to lead his life. That he found joy and contentment,” he said.

Outside court, Scott’s brother Ian thanked the police, prosecutors and Justice Davis.

He said the past 18 months were “hell”.

“We’ve been fighting for Porter to be charged with murder because I feel that’s what he deserves but unfortunately the DPP couldn’t offer that,” he said.

He had said he was grateful the truth was coming out about his brother’s senseless killing and that he wanted Scott to be remembered as a “good guy” who was making a difference in Hervey Bay.

Scott’s best friend Cameron Thomas added he was a “pinnacle of the community” on the Fraser Coast, who did “so much for so many people”.

The sentence hearing is ongoing.