Matthew Wain fronts court over the manslaughter of his mate

A violent thug killed his flatmate in Sale then covered up his heinous crime until the deceased’s sister found his decomposing body in the lounge days later.

Matthew Wain has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for the manslaughter of his flat mate Elvin Shaw in Sale. Picture: Supplied

A distraught woman has spoken of her grief at discovering the decomposed body of her beloved brother as his flatmate was sent to jail for the heinous crime.

Matthew Wain, of Sale, pleaded guilty in July to the manslaughter of his flat mate Elvin James Shaw sometime between July 6 and 11, 2022.

On Tuesday, he was sentenced in the Supreme Court to 10 years’ imprisonment, appearing in court via video link and wearing his prison greens and a cap.

Mr Shaw’s body was discovered by his sister Wanita Bryant on July 14, 2022 on the floor of his lounge, covered in doona, with multiple force injuries to his thorax.

In their victim impact statements read out in court prior to sentencing, Ms Bryant and three other family members spoke of their grief at being unable to dress him in his favourite outfit, give him one last kiss, cuddle him and to say their final goodbyes due to the state of his body.

“The day I found Elvin, discovering him lifeless, is a trauma that continues to haunt me. Its image is a constant torment. The shock and horror of that moment are indescribable,” she recalled.

“The emotions, pain I experienced in that moment are beyond words. The ongoing grieving process has been so much harder. I am struggling to come to terms with the fact that his body was left there to decompose.”

The Supreme Court has sentenced a violent thug to 10 years in prison for the brutal killing of his flat mate in Sale.

Justice Rita Incerti said although Wain had pleaded guilty to manslaughter, the exact circumstances and timing of Mr Shaw’s death remained unknown.

Both men lived together in a unit in Sale and were known to have a volatile relationship, characterised by physical fights and drug consumption.

Justice Incerti said there was evidence Wain would often stand over Mr Shaw in order to gain access to his bank account.

In the lead up to his death, she said Wain told those around him he had become angry and caused Mr Shaw injury or damaged property in the flat.

After Wain left the apartment, Justice Incerti said he made comments to a number of people about the smell of a dead body in his backyard and that he “cracked” Mr Shaw once but he was fine.

Wain told people he’d put a blanket over Mr Shaw, that he was cold, and that he was gone.

He said he didn’t attempt CPR.

Wain told police on July 16 that he and Mr Shaw had an argument after which the victim went quiet, cold and limp and didn’t respond after he gave him a nudge.

Justice Incerti said Wain’s criminal history was “concerning”, with lengthy prison terms for serious violent offences such as serious assault, stabbing and rape.

“You are a violent and dangerous man when you are drug and alcohol affected,” Justice Incerti said.

“It must not be forgotten that at the core of your offending is the tragic and completely senseless loss of a man who was loved by many, and whose passing has left an indelible sadness and pain.

“He was killed in his home where he was entitled to feel safe. You made a conscious decision to abandon a dying and deceased man rather than notifying the authorities or seeking medical assistance. This conduct can only be described as ‘callous’.”

Wain will have to serve a minimum of eight years before he’s eligible for parole.