Former anti-Islamic State fighter jailed for interfering with corpse but has already served his time

A former anti-Islamic State fighter convicted of interfering with the body of a murdered Brisbane man will likely walk free from jail today.

A former anti-Islamic State fighter convicted of interfering with the body of a murdered Brisbane man will likely walk free from jail today.

Ashley Mitchell Scott Dyball, 28, participated in a “cruel and hideous” cover-up by stuffing the body of Samuel Thompson into a toolbox and burying it in a shallow grave, a court was told.

Dyball, who fought against IS alongside Kurdish fighters in 2015, was handed a three year jail term at Brisbane Supreme Court on Wednesday.

With time already served, he will likely walk free from prison today.

Dyball was on trial for the 2017 murder of Thompson, 22, whose body was found in a shallow grave in Beerburrum state forest, near the Sunshine Coast.

On Tuesday, a jury acquitted him of murder but returned a guilty verdict of interfering with Thompson’s corpse.

The court was told Thompson entered a Bald Hills apartment on March 7, 2017, which was occupied by another man, Roberto Vincenzo Boscaino.

Thompson was murdered at the address with a tomahawk.

Boscaino last year was jailed for life for the murder.

Dyball attempted to cover up the act by placing Thompson’s body into a toolbox, driving to the Beerburrum State Forest and burying the body.

Thompson’s body was not found until April 3 that year but it was only after a public appeal by the family and police that Dyball revealed the area where Thompson was buried to police on March 31.

Ashley Dyball (in pink shirt ) has been sentenced to jail but has served the required time. Picture: Mike Batterham

“I can only imagine what anguish that caused Mr Thompson’s family,” Justice Burns said.

“That would have no doubt been compounded when they learned much later his body had been subjected to the indignities you and Mr Boscaino had visited upon it.”

Dyball also pleaded guilty on Wednesday to possessing a small amount of cocaine after police searched his Albany Creek address.

Reading from his victim impact statement, Thompson’s father Bruce said he hated Dyball for his actions.

“Not even animals treat their dead that way,” he said.

“You have played a major part in trying to tear our family apart, but you failed.”

Family of deceased man Samuel Thompson (from left) sister Courtney and parents Bruce and Debbie outside the Supreme Court in Brisbane. Picture: NCA NewWire / Dan Peled

Defence lawyer Angus Edwards said Dyball had since expressed remorse for his actions and was cooperative with police in helping locate the deceased’s body.

He said Dyball had found employment in custody and completed numerous prison courses.

In handing down the sentence, Justice Martin said Dyball’s offending was a “serious example” of corpse interference.

Outside court, Thompson’s father said he hated Dyball for what his family and many of Samuel’s friends had been put through.

“I wish he was staying where he is supposed to be, he’ll be out today, Sam won’t be,” Mr Thompson said.