Publican devastated as murder returns to Sir Charles Hotham Hotel

The owner of a troubled hotel where a man was allegedly killed in cold blood has spoken of his disbelief at the venue’s role in a second homicide investigation under his watch.

A man was murdered in an upstairs room at Sir Charles Hotham Hotel late on February 19. Picture: Eddie Russell

The owner of a troubled hotel where a man was allegedly killed in cold blood has spoken of his disbelief at its involvement in a second homicide investigation, as disturbing stories emerged about its checkered past.

Sir Charles Hotham Hotel publican, Chris Moore, said he was fully co-operating with detectives following the grisly death of an 82-year-old man on Wednesday night, who police will allege was fatally stabbed by another tenant, Richard Pistrin.

The 34-year-old has been charged with his murder.

Mr Moore, whose family has run the business for 35 years, said being exposed to a second brush with a bloody killing was “hard to take”.

People seen outside the Charles Hotham Hotel the day after a man died in an alleged stabbing. Picture: Alan Barber

Edwin Singer, 55, was bludgeoned to death by fellow tenants Bradley Walters and Brett Ross Drummond in 2011.

“There are absolutely no winners in this,” he said.

“It has been a really tough couple of days and we just feel so sorry for the victim and his family.

“It has been a massive shock.”

The Victorian Heritage listed pub opened in 1854 and has a mix of permanent and semi permanent residents living upstairs.

It’s understood police arrived just before midnight on Wednesday after claims a fight broke out between the pair inside one of the 14 upper floor rooms.

Mr Moore said negative commentary surrounding the hotel in the wake of the crime “has been difficult”.

Owner of the pub, Chris Moore, has been left devastated by the tragedy. Picture: Alan Barber

“Yeah this is the second (murder) so it has just been s***,” he said.

“We are a family run business just trying to do our best.

“We just feel so sorry for the man’s family and send our deepest condolences.”

It comes as a former resident of the hotel described “mostly a motley crew of people down on their luck” staying at the Brougham St accommodation.

A Geelong Advertiser clipping following the murder of Edwin Singer on October 11, 2011.

“There would be people absolutely smashed at 10am when I was living there,” Jack Laurie, 69, said.

“Basically if you pay your (rent) money, you are in.”

Walters was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the murder of Singer, while Drummond pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter.

He received a maximum of nine years in jail.

“That another person has been killed after Ed is pretty bad,” Mr Laurie said.

Pistrin allegedly fled the scene following the elderly man’s death before his arrest on Thursday in the Melbourne CBD.

He made no application for bail and was remanded in custody until his next court appearance, on June 30.

Originally published as Publican devastated as murder returns to Sir Charles Hotham Hotel