‘I never meant to hurt anyone’: Killer’s court ‘apology’ to family of missing man Lachlan Griffiths

A man involved in causing the death of a missing man whose body has never been found has broken his silence in court.

A man involved in causing the death of a missing man, who was last seen being brutally attacked in a business boardroom, has apologised for his actions and expressed “sympathy” to the deceased’s family.

Billy Lee Bornstein broke his silence at Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday as he faced sentencing for the manslaughter of Lachlan Griffiths, 35, back in January 2022.

Mr Griffiths was last seen arriving at a business in Coopers Plains, in Brisbane’s south, early on January 17 that year.

His remains have never been found.

Bornstein was initially charged with Mr Griffiths’ murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter at an earlier date.

Mr Griffiths’ family and supporters packed the public gallery as Bornstein addressed the court, apologising for his role in the 35-year-old’s death.

“I understand it’s been difficult for Mr Griffiths’ family, it’s also been very difficult for myself,” Bornstein read from a handwritten note.

“I’ve spent a lot of nights awake wondering how Mr Griffiths’ family might be feeling.

Lachlan Griffiths was last seen alive in January 2022. Billy Lee Bornstein pleaded guilty to Mr Griffiths’ manslaughter. Picture: Supplied

“I never meant to hurt anyone. If I knew what was going to happen I would not have contacted Lachlan.”

Some in the courtroom expressed disbelief as they heard Bornstein say he was sorry.

The court was told Bornstein and two other men – David Lee Tan and Filip Grbavac – were all involved in Mr Griffiths’ death at the Coopers Plains business in 2022.

Mr Griffiths was lured from his hotel in Brisbane to the Coopers Plains address by Bornstein under the prospect of a drug deal.

There, he was “cornered” in the business boardroom, Crown prosecutor Chris Cook said.

“What occurred in that room was a brutal and prolonged attack to kill Lachlan Griffiths,” Mr Cook said, describing Grbavac as the “prime mover” who killed Mr Griffiths.

The court was told the attack was “retaliatory” for alleged contact Mr Griffiths had with Grbavac’s daughter.

One of the last texts Mr Griffiths sent from his phone was “Bro, I think I’m being set up, don’t call me” followed by a pin drop of his location.

Mr Griffiths’ body has never been found but pictures of it, wrapped in plastic, were found on Mr Tan’s phone.

Forensic investigators found blood covering the walls and a “significant” quantity was found underneath the floorboards using luminol lighting.

“(It) had been cleaned up by Grbavac and others,” Mr Cook said.

Bornstein was not involved in the violence inflicted on Mr Griffiths, but the court was told he was liable for manslaughter because he “engaged in the common unlawful purpose” of causing Mr Griffiths serious physical harm and his death was a possible consequence.

Bornstein did not take part in the violence inflicted on Mr Griffiths (pictured) but was present when the assault took place and had helped Grbavac ‘get’ to him, the court was told. Picture: Supplied

Mr Cook said Bornstein played an integral part in allowing Grbavac to “get” to Mr Griffiths and was aware of the violence being inflicted on him.

Bornstein made vain attempts to contact Mr Griffiths, effectively leaving a “false trail” in order to minimise suspicion of his homicide, Mr Cook said.

In a heartbreaking victim impact statement, Mr Griffiths’ mother said the there were so many moments and memories that had been altered as a result of her son’s death.

“It has forever altered me,” she said.

“There are so many wonderful memories of him growing up – his smile, his cheeky attitude to life, his loyalty and friendship, his warm huge hugs.”

Mr Griffiths’ mother said she felt “agony” at not having her son’s body to bury.

Mr Griffiths’ body has never been found. Picture: NewsWire / Glenn Campbell

“There is no closure for us,” she said.

“How on earth do you get closure when you are living this hell?”

Barrister Michael Bonasia, representing Bornstein, submitted that his client could receive a sentence of eight years’ jail as an appropriate penalty.

He said Bornstein had been gainfully employed in construction, came from a supportive family and was addressing his substance abuse while in pre-sentence custody.

Mr Bonasia said his client was also “skilled” at Indigenous art and was teaching others in prison.

A psychologist had opined that Bornstein had paranoid thinking and issues with alcohol and substance abuse – describing the offending as “misguided loyalty” to a friend.

The court was told Bornstein also had a history of violence against women and displayed anti-social personality features.

Supreme Court Justice Frances Williams said she would sentence Bornstein on a later date.

Tan pleaded guilty to Mr Griffiths’ manslaughter earlier this month, while Grbavac died in prison earlier this year after allegedly being attacked by his cellmate.

Another man, Francescos Sebastian Giorgi, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and deprivation of liberty in July. He was sentenced to 2½ years’ jail with immediate parole and received a nine-month probation order.

Originally published as ‘I never meant to hurt anyone’: Killer’s court ‘apology’ to family of missing man Lachlan Griffiths