Paul James Roomes sentenced to life for murder of Mount Gambier man Peter Smith in unit

A man who horrifically bashed a kind-hearted stranger to death has been jailed for life – as appalling new details of the crime are laid bare in court.

A homeless Millicent man who brutally murdered a mutilated a kind stranger who selflessly brought him into his home has been jailed for life, with a judge revealing his shockingly violent past.

On Monday, Paul James Roomes, now 67, was sentenced for the “senseless” 2023 bashing murder of Peter Smith, a 65-year-old man from Mount Gambier.

Justice Sandi McDonald condemned him for his “callous” disregard for Mr Smith’s life.

“While you have not before committed the offence of murder, you have previously taken the life of another through your criminal conduct,” Justice McDonald said.

Peter Smith was murdered in his Mount Gambier home. Picture: Facebook

“Instead of that being a salutary lesson for you, you went on to commit many further violent crimes, and crimes that demonstrate a disregard for law, in particular for the rights of others.

“Your history of violence and impulsive and alcohol-fuelled offending put you on notice that you’re at risk of committing serious and violent crimes.”

The court heard Roomes was convicted for causing death by dangerous driving during a high-speed police chase when he was 18.

Mr Smith’s unit, where he had brought Roomes prior to being murdered. Picture: Dean Martin

Her Honour said after his sentencing, Roomes continued to commit driving offences including drink driving, driving without due care and driving in a reckless and dangerous manner.

Outside court, Peter’s brother Russell Smith said he had wanted to face Roomes inside the courtroom, but his brother’s killer kept his eyes closed during the entire hearing.

“I think he was just, no remorse, no nothing,” Russell said.

“We were always brought up when we were younger to treat people how you find them, if someone’s down and out, you pick them up, you try to help anybody and that's what (Peter) did.

Forensic specialists located multiple items that may have been used to kill Mr Smith inside the unit. Picture Dean Martin

Russell Smith, brother of murdered man Peter Smith, said his mother always joked her children would bring “the wrong one” home. Picture: Leah Smith

“My mother always used to have a little laugh and tell us ‘one day you kids are going to bring the wrong one home’ and after so many years he did.”

Roomes pleaded guilty to murdering Mr Smith in Mount Gambier on September 26, 2023.

The court heard Mr Smith died from repeated head injuries sustained during a frenzied beating, with evidence linking a glass ashtray and the leg of a broken coffee table to the bashing.

Roomes also tore off one of Mr Smith’s ears during the attack.

Police arrived at a block of units in Bond St around 3pm, and body-worn footage captured the sound of the beating continuing.

Mr Smith was rushed to hospital but pronounced dead four minutes after his arrival.

Justice McDonald sentenced Roomes to life imprisonment, with a 20-year non-parole period, backdated to his arrest.

Originally published as Paul James Roomes sentenced to life for murder of Mount Gambier man Peter Smith in unit