Michelle Darragh: Benjamin Coman sentenced over former partner’s murder

The killer of a pregnant woman has been told to “suffer” by a member of her family as he was led out of the Supreme Court of Victoria.

A “jealous” Melbourne man who murdered his pregnant former partner has been sentenced to 25 years prison over what was described as a conscious decision to kill her in the wake of her decision to leave him.

Mother-of-two Michelle Darragh, 32, died as a result of stab wounds inflicted on her by her long-term ex-partner Benjamin Coman at the Bayswater North home where the pair used to live on the afternoon of October 9, 2021.

“Suffer, you dog,” a family member of Ms Darragh’s said as Coman, who was a friend of the family before his relationship began with the woman he was to later murder, was led handcuffed out of the court by two security guards.

Coman was expressionless as he sat in the dock of the Supreme Court of Victoria on Friday afternoon, not once removing his gaze from Justice Tinney, whose task it was to sentence Coman after he had pleaded guilty to the charge of murder.

Benjamin Coman has been sentenced to 25 years prison over the murder of his former partner, Michelle Darragh. Picture: Facebook

Justice Tinney said Ms Darragh attended the Baywater home on the afternoon of her death in order to gather some clothes after Coman had sought to meet up with her and the couple’s children at a nearby park.

Coman, who the court was told was a strong user of cannabis, cocaine and ice, took what was described as a carving knife with a 20cm blade from a drying rack in the kitchen with the intention of stabbing himself in front of Ms Darragh to deliberately traumatise her, Justice Tinney said.

He secreted the knife in his pants and then in his shoe, but his thoughts “abruptly switched”, the court was told.

Coman heard thoughts in his head saying “I’ve got to do this, she needs to die now”, Justice Tinney said.

After stabbing Ms Darragh three times, the fatal wound being the third that penetrated her back and neck, Coman stabbed himself in the abdomen and lay down beside her.

Friends and family of Ms Darragh. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Aaron Francis

Justice Tinney said Ms Darragh was “vulnerable and defenceless by virtue of the size and strength differential” and was overwhelmed by Coman as she sought to scream for help.

He said Coman had maintained the delusion that Ms Darragh had been unfaithful and believed his best friend was the father of his children.

At the time of her death, Ms Darragh was 12 weeks pregnant and reluctant to terminate her pregnancy despite Coman’s wishes.

Justice Tinney said that about 6pm, Ms Darragh’s parents became concerned as their daughter was a “stickler for routine”.

Having failed to contact his daughter, Ms Darragh’s father, Ashley, drove to the pair’s old address and saw Ms Darragh’s car and Coman’s van in the driveway.

He called each of them again and knocked repeatedly on the door before he let himself in through the back of the house. In the third bedroom he saw his daughter’s legs protruding from beside the bed.

Mr Darragh called the police and his wife and believed both his daughter and Coman were dead.

The court was told Ms Darragh’s murder occurred only a matter of weeks after she had saved Coman’s life when he attempted suicide and was admitted to hospital.

Coman maintained the delusion that Ms Darragh had been unfaithful. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Aaron Francis

“Your crime was carried out by reasons of anger and resentment,” Justice Tinney said.

“I’m satisfied you had it within yourself to control your actions.

“You knew full well what you were doing when you attacked and killed Michelle.”

Justice Tinney said he did not believe Coman was experiencing a drug-induced psychosis but accepted he was experiencing a depressive episode with psychotic features.

Justice Tinney asked Coman to stand as he sentenced him to a term of 25 years in prison with a 20 year non-parole period.

Coman’s period of 538 days spent in pre-sentence detention was also factored into his sentence.

Outside court Dianne Darragh, Ms Darragh’s mother, said she was “happy” with the sentence.

“She was so innocent,” her mother said.

The large contingent of family and friends wore small orange bows in memory of Ms Darragh.

Originally published as Michelle Darragh: Benjamin Coman sentenced over former partner’s murder