Farmstay Guest Awaits Sentencing for Manslaughter of Central Victorian Host

A farmstay guest who killed a 60-year-old woman at her central Victorian home following a romantic rejection is set to be sentenced next week. Timothy Loosemore, 63, was found guilty by a Supreme Court jury of manslaughter, but not guilty of murder, over the 2023 death of Maree Vermont at her property in Goldie.

The Supreme Court in Melbourne heard pre-sentencing submissions from both the prosecution and defence. Ms Vermont's badly burnt remains were discovered in the ashes of her family-built stone home, which Loosemore set on fire after the killing to destroy the crime scene. Although Loosemore was not charged with arson, Justice Michael Tinney stated he would consider the destruction of the home as an aggravating factor during sentencing, noting evidence suggested an accelerant such as petrol was likely used to burn the solid stone and timber structure.

Claims of Memory Loss and Absence of Remorse

Defence barrister Christopher Farrington told the court that Loosemore maintains he has no memory of the event and struggles to reconcile that he caused Ms Vermont's death. As a result, the defence noted he has taken no responsibility and shown no remorse. Justice Tinney rejected the claim that Loosemore lacked memory of the incident, referencing police body-worn camera footage taken in the hospital shortly after the fire. The judge observed that Loosemore showed concern only for himself, his bicycle, and his possessions, without asking about Ms Vermont's safety.

Because Loosemore has not provided an account of the event, Justice Tinney noted that the exact mechanism of death remains unknown. However, the judge stated it could still be classed as a serious or very serious case of manslaughter. Evidence presented at trial included facial injuries on Loosemore and Ms Vermont's blood present on his clothing.

Impact on Victim's Family

Prosecutor Mark Gibson presented 20 victim impact statements, including testimony read in court by Ms Vermont's three adult sons, Harrison, Lachlan, and Darcy. They detailed the severe emotional suffering and financial loss caused by the destruction of their mother's home and personal belongings, as well as the ongoing pain surrounding the uncertainty of her final moments.

The court heard that Loosemore, a dual UK and Australian citizen with no prior criminal record and three adult children in the UK, arrived in Australia in 2022 for a cycling holiday before taking up various farmstay arrangements, eventually reaching Ms Vermont's home in early 2023.