Gemma Clark sentenced to jail for ‘crimes of considerable gravity’

Justice Robert Pearce said there were “powerful factors” that justified the sentence of woman accused of being an accessory in the Anderson-Brettner case.

Friends and relatives leave the Launceston Magistrates Court after a hearing for the murder of Launceston man Jake Anderson-Brettner. PICTURE CHRIS KIDD

GEMMA Elizabeth Clark, the woman who admitted she acted to conceal the murder of Jake Anderson-Brettner, will be eligible for release from prison as early as August 2021.

Clark, who was aged 24 when Mr Anderson-Brettner was killed, was today sentenced at the Supreme Court in Launceston to five-and-a-half years’ jail, with a three-year non-parole period.

Last week, Clark pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact to Mr Anderson-Brettner’s murder and failing to report his killing.

The Crown alleges Jack Harrison Vincent Sadler murdered Mr Anderson-Brettner, 24, at a Riverside home on August 15, last year.

Part of Mr Anderson-Brettner’s body was found by police four days later near the Tasman Highway, close to Myrtle Park.

A Launceston woman has been jailed for being an accessory after the fact in the murder of 24-year-old Jake Daniel Anderson-Brettner. Picture: SUPPLIED

A police car at Myrtle Park, about halfway between Launceston and Scottsale, where the body of a man believed to be missing person Jake Anderson-Brettner has been found. Picture: NICK CLARK

Justice Robert Pearce said Clark “did not know in advance (of the murder) what was intended” but that she “committed crimes of considerable gravity” when she helped conceal the killing for four days after it happened.

“Her conduct added greatly to the distress of the victim’s mother, his partner and the rest of his family and friends, and will likely have a lasting impact,” he said.

“Her lies to the police are not an aggravating factor but indicate the absence of immediate remorse.

“Her admissions came only after the gravity of her situation became apparent to her, when the evidence of her link to the murder was clear and she faced the real risk of a charge of murder.”

However, Justice Pearce said it was important to note Clark was not to be punished for Mr Anderson-Brettner’s murder.

Mr Sadler has pleaded not guilty to the murder and is expected to stand trial in Launceston later this year or in 2020.

The court has prohibited much of the detail from proceedings against Clark from being published until after proceedings against Mr Sadler are finished, to protect his right to a fair trial.

MORE OF TODAY’S NEWS

NORTH AND NORTH-WEST TIPPED AS KEY ELECTION BATTLEGROUNDS

WILKIE OFF AND RUNNING

HAMMER KILLER COLLECTED DISABILITY SUPPORT PAYMENTS OF VICTIM

ALLEGED TRAFFICKER BACK IN COURT NEXT MONTH

The court last week heard Clark is expected to give evidence in Mr Sadler’s trial.

Justice Pearce said Clark’s crimes justified an eight-year jail sentence but that her early guilty plea, eventual co-operation with police, and willingness to give evidence against Mr Sadler were factors that justified a reduction.

“If she fails to co-operate as she has promised, although I have no reason to suspect that she will, the sentence may be reviewed and increased on appeal,” Justice Pearce said.

Clark’s sentence is backdated to her August 2018 arrest.

At the time of the killing, Clark was an aspiring primary school teacher who had deferred her university studies.

The court had heard she had no prior convictions, had a good employment record and was remorseful for what she had done.

“There is no reason for me to conclude that this is anything other than an isolated and aberrant incident committed by a person of otherwise good character, but it is a serious departure and good character does not carry much weight for crimes of this seriousness,” Justice Pearce said.

[e-mail]