West Australian man sentenced to life behind bars for murdering ‘lifelong friend’ with machete and knife

A drug-affected man who admitted killing a family friend with a machete but claimed the devil made him do it has been sentenced to life behind bars.

Gregory John William Quartermaine has been jailed for life for murdering Wilfred Williams. Picture: Facebook via NCA Newswire

Wilfred Williams was pleading for his life as children fled and hid in fear from an armed attacker once considered to be a close friend — but it was no use.

Gregory John William Quartermaine, 42, had consumed methylamphetamine and cannabis, claiming the devil made him violently attack Mr Williams at his Tambellup home, in Western Australia’s Great Southern region, in August 2019.

Quartermaine attacked the 60-year-old for about half an hour with a machete and knife, the West Australian Supreme Court heard on Friday.

No-one saw the entire unprovoked attack, but Mr Williams suffered many injuries, including decapitation and severing of other body parts.

“Mr Williams was mutilated and disfigured,” Justice Stephen Hall said during the sentencing hearing.

NCA NewsWire has chosen not to publish further graphic details about Mr Williams’ death.

Gregory John William Quartermaine was sentenced in the West Australian Supreme Court on Friday. Picture: Ross Swanborough

Quartermaine was sentenced to life behind bars with a minimum of 18 years to be served before he can be eligible for parole.

Justice Hall described the murder as an extraordinary “explosion of violence”.

“Mr Williams cried out for you to stop, asking you what he had done. He was unable to resist or defend himself,” Justice Hall said.

“Later, you said that the devil had made you attack the deceased.”

Police and paramedics then arrived to find a “most horrific” crime scene.

“(It) must have left an indelible mark on their memories,” Justice Hall said.

“The dangers faced by police and the service they render to the community in such circumstances is deserving of recognition.”

Justice Hall also noted the safety of the children at the house had been put at risk and they had been left traumatised.

Justice Stephen Hall described the attack as an extraordinary “explosion of violence”. Picture: Supplied

During his trial last year, Quartermaine argued he should not be found guilty of murder because his drug intoxication impaired his ability to form an intent.

But Justice Hall, who presided over the trial without a jury, rejected the claim and found Quartermaine guilty of murder.

Justice Hall told Quartermaine on Friday that he must “bear full responsibility” for the “terrible offence”.

“It was not a curse or the devil that caused this dreadful event. It was your decision to use drugs,” Justice Hall said.

He also said Mr Williams had been a lifelong friend of the family and was loved by them.

In character reference letters from friends and family, Quartermaine was described as a kind person who cared for others.

They also suggested the offending was out of character.

Quartermaine’s sentence was backdated to when he was taken into custody in August 2019.

Originally published as West Australian man sentenced to life behind bars for murdering ‘lifelong friend’ with machete and knife