Man Decapitates 'Physically Vulnerable' Housemate, Kills His Pet Dogs

An Australian man was sentenced to 23 years in prison Friday for beheading his housemate and killing the victim’s dogs.

Darren Ward Gale and Noel Joseph Ingham met at a homeless shelter in 2014. Since Ingham was suffering from serious health issues, Gale moved into his home in July 2016 as his live-in carer. The same month, the two got into a physical altercation at their unit during which Gale “delivered several blows” to his housemate. Two months later, a missing person report was filed by the housing authority and in November, the headless body of 58-year-old Ingham was found in a shallow grave and the skeletons of his two dogs were found a few meters from the body in a burnt-out car. The head was not recovered.

During the trial, Gale maintained Ingham’s death was accidental and that he died after collapsing on a fish tank. He said the two did get into a fight involving an axe, however, Ingham only received a minor injury in the brawl.

"I decided to cut his head off, because he had two wounds and I knew if police saw the wounds they would assume he was killed. I thought they wouldn't know who he was without a head. Once I had started doing what I done it was like a big snowball. It got bigger and bigger and worse and worse and I didn't know how to stop it,” he said. Gale also admitted to killing the victim’s dogs.

The court heard that post the disappearance of Ingham, the accused used Ingham's phone to message people. Describing the crime as a "vicious and senseless killing,” Justice Helen Woods said, "The defendant murdered a physically vulnerable man in his own home who had taken him into his home and trusted him.”

The court heard that the victim’s daughters were profoundly impacted by their father’s death.

"The terrible details of what happened to his body after his death has compounded their trauma. The post-offence conduct including the callous treatment of Mr Ingham's body is a significant aggravating factor. These acts speak of a desire to conceal lethal violence,” Woods added.

Gale is required to serve a minimum of 14 years in prison before he is eligible for parole.