Bomaderry man Dean Vimpani sentenced after murder of army veteran

A south coast man has been sentenced to prison after the murder of an army veteran in mid 2021.

Dean Vimpani was sentenced in Nowra Supreme Court after the murder of David McArthur. Picture: File.

A south coast man involved in the alleged murder of an army veteran in 2021 has been sentenced almost two years after the “despicable” offence.

Dean Vimpani, 42, of Bomaderry, faced Nowra Supreme Court on Thursday charged with the murder of army veteran David McArthur.

Vimpani had previously pleaded guilty on December 9, 2022, at Nowra Local Court.

Police documents tendered to Nowra Court stated Vimpani, along with Raymond Allen, 41, murdered Mr McArthur at Sanctuary Point on July 25, 2021, during an attempted robbery.

Allen previously pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder.

Agreed facts stated Vimpani and Allen had previously purchased drugs from Mr McArthur in the weeks leading up to his alleged murder.

The robbery was an attempt to steal drugs from his caravan.

The court viewed security footage from the caravan park submitted by the Crown, showcasing Vimpani and Allen arriving in a vehicle, before walking to Mr McArthur’s caravan with intentions of robbing it for drugs.

“This was a planned event,” the solicitor for the Crown said.

“He [Allen] knew he may need to use a knife.”

Emergency services were soon after called to the caravan park on Ethel Street, following reports of a stabbing.

Upon arrival, officers entered a cabin and located Mr McArthur with a stab wound to his chest.

“It was a period of about two minutes from when they arrived and Mr McArthur was killed,” the Solicitor for the Crown said.

Vimpani and Allen were arrested by police officers who linked them to the murder on October 22, 2021.

Vimpani returned to Nowra Local Court on December 9, 2022 where he officially pleaded guilty.

He has remained in custody since.

The family of Mr McArthur packed the courtroom on Thursday as Vimpani sat in the dock.

The court heard victim impact statements from members of the family, including Mr McArthur’s daughter, Ash, who said Vimpani and Allen had “stolen” her father’s life.

“No one should ever have to feel this way,” she said.

“I have lost my father, my son has lost his grandpa, all because of this one man’s despicable actions.”

Dean Vimpani was sentenced in Nowra Supreme Court. Picture: From file.

The defence solicitor said the robbery and murder were committed as a result of Vimpani’s mental health.

“This is a case where the impacts of child trauma can be seen most starkly,” he said.

“His brother exposed him to drugs and alcohol at the age of nine.

“He has suffered mentally since.”

Justice Deborah Sweeney said murder of any kind and any involvement was a “serious offence”.

“The stabbing happened quickly, but the crown cannot prove Mr Vimpani was in the caravan when Mr Allen stabbed Mr McArthur,” she said.

“However, Mr Vimpani was aware Mr Allen had a knife and was willing to use it.

“Despite knowing this, he still drove the pair to the caravan park and helped with the robbery.”

Justice Sweeney convicted and sentenced Vimpani to 13 years in full time custody, nine years without parole.

Vimpani will be eligible for parole in 2030.

Allen will return to Nowra Supreme court for trial later this year.