Supreme Court of Victoria: Decades in jail for murderer Christoper Hillman
A man who kidnapped an elderly couple, terrorised two of his friends at gunpoint and caused a marathon police siege while he was on the run for the murder of a Frankston man has learned his fate in court.
South East
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A man who went on a week long crime spree after he shot Jake Williams in the head will spend at least two decades in jail.
Christopher Hillman, 46, was sentenced in the Supreme Court of Victoria after he pleaded guilty to murder, common law assault, two charges of kidnapping and possessing a firearm.
On September 18, 2021, Hillman shot Jake Williams in the head with a sawn off shotgun in a Frankston bedroom after an argument between the pair.
Two other people were inside the home at the time.
The court heard Hillman was using ice for the six months leading up to the murder.
Hillman said he saw Mr Williams point a weapon at him before he fatally shot him and a butterknife was later discovered under Mr Williams’ body.
The shooting marked the start of a week long crime spree for Hillman, who went on the run after the murder.
Three days later, Hillman arrived at one of the witnesses homes with a gun.
He seemed agitated and demanded the witness take him for a drive at gunpoint.
Another three days later, Hillman once again went to a home and demanded the occupants drive him to another location.
The home belonged to an elderly couple aged 65 and 76.
Hillman knocked on their front door and told the woman her car was damaged.
When she opened the door Hillman produced the sawn off shotgun, stepped inside and demanded the couple drive him to a Seaford address.
Hillman sat in the back seat of the car pointing the weapon at the couple while profusely apologising.
“I am sorry I have to do this,” he said.
“I do not mean to do this.”
The 14 minute interaction ended when he was dropped off at the Seaford address and ran from the couple’s car.
Hillman was arrested by police on September 24, 2021 in a Cranbourne home after a dramatic police siege.
The siege ended when police found Hillman unconscious after he swallowed a poisonous substance and climbed into the roof space of the home.
Justice Elizabeth Hollingworth said the victims of this crime spree were devastated by Hillman’s actions.
“Jake Williams was only 34 years old when he died,” she said.
“His loved ones miss him every day, they dread family occassions because they now only mark the terrible pain of having lost Mr Williams.”
Justice Hollingsworth said Hillman showed “little remorse” for killing Mr Williams.
Hillman was sentenced to 28 years in custody with a non-parole period of 23 years for his crimes.
He has already served 931 days in custody.
