Morgan Huxley’s killer Daniel Jack Kelsall sentenced to 40 years in jail

DANIEL Jack Kelsall was sentenced to at least 30 years in jail for the murder of Morgan Huxley after the judge declined to impose a life sentence.

DANIEL Jack Kelsall leaving King street Court, NSW Supreme court after being found guilty of the frenzied stabbing of Neutral Bay businessman Morgan Huxley. Picture Craig Greenhill

THE family of murdered Sydney man Morgan Huxley live suspended in time, their lives ­irrevocably stuck on September 8, 2013 by “a monster who still breathes, eats and sleeps”.

Yesterday, Mr Huxley’s family members sat just a few ­metres away from his killer, Daniel Jack Kelsall, in the NSW Supreme Court to lay bare their anguish, hours before the 22-year-old was sentenced to at least 30 years behind bars.

Justice Hulme said Daniel Jack Kelsall ’remains dangerous and accordingly the risk of future dangerousness remains high’. Picture Craig Greenhill

Morgan Huxley was stabbed to death inside the bedroom of his Neutral Bay apartment on September 8, 2013.

Justice Robert Allan Hulme considered ordering Kelsall to spend the rest of his life in jail for Mr Huxley’s murder and ­indecent assault, but ultimately imposed a maximum sentence of 40 years and three months.

Kelsall followed Mr Huxley home to his apartment in Watson St, Neutral Bay in the early hours of September 8, 2013, ­indecently assaulted him and then stabbed him 28 times.

Justice Hulme described it as being in “the worst category” of offences and the work of a “clearly deranged individual”.

Deidree Huxley has told Daniel Kelsall’s sentencing hearing of her anguish at being so close to her son’s killer. Picture Craig Greenhill

It was an act of madness that has haunted the Huxley family, especially his parents Deirdre and Alan and his siblings ­Tiffany and Oliver, ever since.

“My brain is starting to learn that my little brother is gone but my heart will never mend,” ­Tiffany Huxley said. “I don’t feel joy in my life any more. I don’t know when I will again.”

Mr Huxley’s gravely ill father Alan, who was unable to attend most of Kelsall’s two week trial, said his “baby boy” was taken by a “violent thing”.

Older brother Oliver said he kept seeing his brother “waking up and trying to see in the dark, trying to breathe” after he was attacked by Kelsall.

“I see Morgan crying and screaming,” he said.

“Morgan, I am sorry for what happened to you. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you.”

Mark and Lynne Kelsall leave Darlinghurst Court after their son Daniel Kelsall was sentenced to prison for the murder of Morgan Huxley. Picture Craig Greenhill

Deirdre Huxley, wearing a yellow scarf in honour of her son’s favourite colour, spoke of the pain of losing Morgan “not to illness or an accident, but to a stranger apparently for the thrill of it”. Mrs Huxley spoke of her suffering at having to “sit so close to my son’s killer” in the courtroom, adding through tears: “How can I move on in time when my son remains in September 8, 2013, while the monster who took his life still breathes, eats and sleeps?”

A wheelchair bound Allan Huxley Sr leaves the court. Picture: John Grainger

Oliver Huxley is supported by a friend outside the court. Picture: John Grainger

Justice Hulme said Kelsall gave “markedly different” versions to police.

“It is little wonder the jury ­rejected this account,” he said.

The court heard Kelsall had shown “a complete lack of remorse” for committing “a most chilling murder”, but had “no identifiable diagnosis of a ­psychiatric condition amenable for treatment.”

Justice Hulme said of Kelsall: “In my opinion he remains dangerous.” Kelsall will be 51 when he is eligible for release on parole in January 2044.

Daniel Jack Kelsall’s mother Lynne Kelsall (in orange, left) and murder victim Morgan Huxley’s mother Deidree (far right) wait to enter court for the sentencing hearing. Picture: John Grainger