Bourke St killer Dimitrious Gargasoulas has chance of parole in life sentence

He callously mowed down children and other innocent people in one of Australia’s worst acts of mass murder. But Bourke St rampager Dimitrious Gargasoulas could walk free one day, after he was sentenced to life with non-parole period of 46 years.

Evil Bourke St rampage murderer Dimitrious “James” Gargasoulas has been sentenced to life — but he has a chance of parole when he’s in his 70s.

Today during sentencing Supreme Court Justice Weinberg blasted Gargasoulas’ callous actions for causing widespread despair and fear.

“Your crimes can only be described as horrendous. Your actions were both callous and cowardly,” he said, as he also recounted the terrifying rampage across four crowded city blocks.

PRISONERS WHO WILL NEVER BE FREED

THE BOURKE ST VICTIMS

WHEN HORROR CAME TO OUR CITY

“This was one of the worst examples of mass murder in Australian history. It was entirely fortuitous that you did not kill or injure many more.”

Justice Mark Weinberg said any sentence less than life would have been inappropriate given the horrific nature of the widespread carnage and crimes. He imposed a non-parole period of 46 years, the longest non-parole period ever set.

Gargasoulas was found guilty in November of six counts of murder and 27 counts of reckless conduct endangering life with the jury deliberating for just 57 minutes to reach a verdict.

The actions of Gargasoulas were described as one of the worst examples of mass murder in Australian history. Picture: Tony Gough

He cruelly mowed down people in the Bourke St Mall and surrounding areas during a busy Friday lunchtime on January 20, 2017. Innocent victims who were struck were oblivious that he was behind them.

Among victims on the January 20, 2017 attack were three-month-old Zachary Matthew-Bryant, who was hurled from his pram and landed 68m from impact and Tahlia Hakin, 10, who was holding her mother’s hand when she was struck.

The other victims were Sydney insurance consultant Jessica Mudie, 22, architect Matthew Si, 33, financial consultant Bhavita Patel, 33, and Japanese student Yosuke Kanno, 25.

Justice Weinberg was overcome with emotion when he was talking about the victim impact statements he had read and heard in court, describing it as an “agonising experience”.

“One could not but be profoundly moved by the terrible devastation that you, by your actions, brought about that day,” he said.

“Unsurprisingly, your crimes have had a shattering effect on countless lives.”

Among injuries caused to those who did not die were broken legs, spinal injuries, pelvic fractures, permanent nerve damage, long rehabilitation for some, acquired brain injury, rib fractures, post traumatic amnesia, fractures to legs and shoulders, hands and vertebrae, skull lacerations.

WHY KILLER SHOULD BE JAILED FOR LIFE

The judge said Gargasoulas’s age was a factor in deciding to set a non-parole period rather than a sentence of life with no parole.

Justice Weinberg said it was a “mistake” to refer to a non-parole period as a minimum sentence.

“In truth, there is but one sentence, and that is the sentence imposed by the sentencing judge. That sentence cannot be altered by the parole authority,” he said.

“In your case, that sentence on each charge of murder will be one of life imprisonment. (Non-parole) is merely a direction regarding how much of the sentence that is imposed must be served in actual custody before the prisoner can even be considered for parole.”

Gargasoulas drove at speeds up to 60kmh through the mall, and even after hitting a pram with such force that it lodged in the car’s windscreen, he refused to stop.

Pre-sentencing hearings heard of the devastation Gargasoulas caused, his disregard for human life and the pain he inflicted on victims and their families.

His rambling letter of apology.

In a statement on behalf of the families of five of the victims killed in the Bourke Street attack, the victims lashed out at the sentence.

“There is no excuse for murder. If you are a danger to society, you should never be allowed to roam freely,” it said.

“The sentence is not harsh enough. Our family hopes that no one will ever have to suffer a similar fate as those who lost their loved ones and will continue to struggle with survival.

“We are looking forward to the inquest to shed light on past mistakes and to enforce changes that are needed.”

Prosecutors even likened the Bourke St carnage to Martin Bryant’s massacre at Port Arthur, saying “Melbourne will never be the same again”.

Deputy Premier James Merlino said Gargasoulas’s rampage had “changed our city and our state forever”.

He said it had been a “traumatic court process” but hoped today’s sentence could give “a level of closure to those families” involved.

“Nothing can take away the pain and trauma, particularly for those families directly impacted by this act of evil,” Mr Merlino said. “It would leave a trauma that would last forever.”

Victim Matthew Si with his daughter Aria and wife Melinda Tan.

Jessica Mudie was one of those killed. Picture: Instagram

Mr Merlino said it would be inappropriate to comment on Gargasoulas’s sentence given it could be appealed.

During the trial, Gargasoulas’ lawyer told the jury his client had no defence to the charges and the barrister’s closing submissions lasted less than one minute.

In his plea hearing, Gargasoulas read a handwritten note apologising for his actions before blaming “government oppression” for his heinous crimes.

“To all the victims of the 20th of January 2017, I apologise from my heart for taking the lives of your loved ones,” Gargasoulas said.

“I know my apology is not going to fix what I’ve done.

“I didn’t think my life would turn out like this. I can’t imagine the pain you are going through.”

Gargasoulas, who was born in Coober Pedy, has a long rap sheet. It shows that from 2009 to 2014, he faced court for more than 20 offences including assault, driving while disqualified, recklessly causing injury, affray, reckless conduct endangering serious injury, assault to prevent lawful detention, escaping from police and aggravated burglary.

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