Danny Deacon sentenced to life for murdering Carlie Sinclair

UPDATED: Cold-blooded murderer Danny Deacon has been sentenced to life behind bars with a non-parole period of 21 years and six months

Danny Deacon has been sentenced to life behind bars for the murder of his partner Carlie Sinclair. Picture: Nine News Darwin/NT Supreme Court

COLD-BLOODED murderer Danny Deacon has been sentenced to life behind bars with a non-parole period of 21 years and six months.

Deacon, who was found guilty of murder in a month-long jury trial in the NT Supreme Court, will be 65-years-old by the time he can apply for parole.

Justice Peter Barr said Deacon was cunning and calculated in his conduct, both before and after he killed his partner Carlie Sinclair on the night of 18 June 2013.

Justice Barr described Deacon’s evidence as “untrustworthy” and “self serving” and said his conduct demanded he serve longer than the mandatory minimum non-parole period of 20 years.

“The ultimate victim of your crime was, is and will be, your own son who lost a mother’s love and guidance at a very young age,” Justice Barr said.

Justice Barr praised the “courage and dignity” of Ms Sinclair’s family, who have sat in court for most of the trial.

“They have suffered the stress, fear and uncertainty they all felt after their daughter or sister dispapeared without a trace,” he said.

Deacon sat emotionless in the dock occasionaly closing his eyes when Justice Barr talked of his now 5-year-old son, Alex.

In his findings of fact, Justice Barr systematically dismantled Deacon’s versions of events.

“There are many aspects of your versions of events which I do not accept,” he said.

Most significantly, Justice Barr rejected, almost in its entirety, Deacon’s claim that he was provoked on the night of the killing.

“Consistent with the verdict of the jury, I am satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that you did not lose control of yourself as a result of anything said by the deceased to you.

“There was no loss of self control on your part. Everything you did on that evening was planned and prepared for.

“You maintained your self control at all times, in order to carry out a plan you had conceived at least three weeks before, and possible longer before the killing.”