Brayden Dillon killer jailed for Glenfield shooting murder
A young man who accepted $20,000 to kill a 15-year-old boy will spend decades behind bars. The killer, who can’t be legally identified, was awarded a 20 per cent discount for admitting to the crime and agreeing to give evidence against his co-accused.
Police & Courts
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A hitman who shot dead a “defenceless and unsuspecting” 15-year-old boy as he slept in his bed will spend at least 30 years behind bars.
The 29-year-old killer, who can’t be named for legal reasons, showed little emotion in the NSW Supreme Court this afternoon as he learned he would not be eligible for parole until 2047.
The father-of-two had pleaded guilty to murdering teenager Brayden Dillon in a contract killing to exact someone else’s thirst for revenge.
Brayden was asleep in his bed inside his family home in Glenfield in Sydney’s southwest in April, 2017 when the shooter kicked down the front door.
The noise woke Brayden’s mother, who came out of her bedroom and found the shooter standing at the top of the stairs with a gun.
The court heard the shooter told the woman to get back in her bedroom and close the door.
He then went into Brayden’s bedroom and shot the teenager in the side of the head as he was asleep on his stomach.
Brayden’s mother heard the gunshot as she sheltered in her bedroom with two young children and her partner.
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Justice Ian Harrison described the crime as the “callous and unjustified murder of an innocent boy” with his life ahead of him.
“Contract killings are considered particularly heinous,” he said in sentencing the shooter.
“The killing of a child only adds to the heinousness of the crime.”
Police have alleged the shooter was asked to murder the 15-year-old boy by Abdul Abu-Mahmoud.
Abu-Mahmoud’s nephew, Adam Abu-Mahmoud, was killed in a street fight in Panania in 2016.
A person close to Brayden Dillon was charged with murder but later acquitted on the basis of self defence
According to police, Abu-Mahmoud wanted revenge for his nephew’s death.
However, he has pleaded not guilty to murder and is currently on trial in the NSW Supreme Court.
In sentencing the shooter, Justice Harrison said he was entitled to a 20 per cent discount on his sentence after noting his guilty plea and willingness to provide assistance to the police.
The judge accepted the shooter was remorseful for his actions, as expressed in a tearful apology to Brayden’s family.
“(The shooter’s) words may be rejected by Brayden Dillon’s family as insincere,” he said.
“But it’s important not to lose sight of the fact that words are all he has left.”
The judge also praised Brayden’s mother who displayed “courage and dignity” in delivering a victim impact statement in front of the shooter.
Brayden’s mother told The Daily Telegraph: “We are very happy with the result. Nothing is ever going to bring him back and no time will ever be enough but 30 years is a good starting point.”
Mr Harrison sentenced him to a maximum sentence of 40 years jail with 30 years behind bars.
As court sheriffs led him from the dock, someone from the public gallery yelled: “enjoy all 30 years you dog”.