‘Hitler’s grandson’ sentenced to 20 years in prison for murder

A MAN who thought he was Hitler’s grandson has been sentenced to 20 years jail for fatally stabbing two men during a wild brawl in Western Victoria in 2011.

Police investigate the scene of the double stabbing in Casterton, Western Victoria, in 20

A MAN who thought he was Hitler’s grandson has been sentenced to 20 years jail for stabbing two men to death during a wild brawl in Western Victoria in 2011.

Aaron Jamie Ball, 34, pleaded guilty of two charges of defensive homicide and recklessly causing serious injury after an ongoing feud led to a wild brawl in the town of Casterton in October 2011.

Killed in the frenzy were his neighbours Toby Lynch, 25, and Raymond McCombe, a 38-year-old father of four.

Another man, Steven Mark was badly injured.

Raymond McCombe was fatally stabbed by Aaron Jamie Ball in Casterton, Western Victoria, in 2011.

Ball had warned neighbours before the brawl, writing a letter to them about his violent temper.

“You were also in the habit of taunting and then chasing children away, which in turn caused disputes with their parents and other adults, and so it was that you and your family became known as ‘the loonies’,” Justice Elizabeth Curtain said.

“No sentence this court can impose can ameliorate the grief and suffering of the loved ones of Raymond McCombe and Toby Lynch, and no sentence this court can impose can restore to them their loved boyfriend, father, husband, brother and son. No sentence this court can impose can redress the consequences of your crime to Steven Mark.”

Ball had a history of violence and was described by Justice Curtain as “being of rather dull intelligence”.

Police investigate the scene of the double stabbing in Casterton, Western Victoria, in 2011.

He also suffers psychosis and schizophrenia.

“You continued to hold bizarre ideas, for example, being a clone or grandson of Hitler, being able to read minds and having been subject to experimental medical procedures,’ Justice Curtain said.

“Your lack of remorse and insight into your offending is also most likely a result of your mental illness, and I do not regard the absence of those two features as a circumstance of aggravation.”

Justice Curtain sentenced Ball to 20 years jail and said he must serve 17 years before being eligible for parole.