Wife killer Adrian Basham has been handed a maximum sentence after murdering his estranged partner and staging the scene to look like she took her own life.
Basham returned to the Supreme Court of Victoria on Monday for sentencing after he was found guilty of the “execution-style” murder of Samantha Fraser on Phillip Island in 2018.
Basham sat in the rear of the courtroom, showing little emotion as Justice Lesley Taylor sentenced him to serve a minimum of 30 years in prison for the “savage” killing.
Just a few metres away, members of Ms Fraser’s family wore white ribbons – representing a movement to end gendered violence – as they studied Basham’s face.
Applause rang out in the courtroom and tears flowed as Justice Taylor said he would be an old man if or when he is released from prison.
Adrian Basham
Samantha Fraser
The pair had separated permanently in April 2017 after a decade of marriage marred by violence, control and fear.
Ms Fraser had lived with her parents after the split, but returned to live in the home they once shared with her children.
Basham, 46, has always maintained his innocence, claiming he had waited outside her home and violently attacked her, but left while she was still alive.
Justice Taylor said this was a “ludicrous” suggestion.
“Ms Fraser was terrified of you, less than 48 hours before you murdered her, she told friends she was more vigilant because you had been sighted on the island,” she said.
