A SALE man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter over the assault and death of his flatmate.
The Melbourne Supreme Court last week heard Matthew James Wain in July 2022 left Elvin Shaw to die on the lounge room floor of the home they shared and covered him with a doona.
Mr Shaw’s body was found by his sister on July 14.
An autopsy report showed Mr Shaw had suffered blunt force trauma, had 10 broken ribs and fractured bones in his face, however was unable to determine when Mr Shaw sustained the injuries that killed him, or the exact day he died.
The court heard Wain was 53 years old when he lived with the victim, who was often unwell, and they had a volatile relationship, often fighting. Friends told police Wain would often stand over Mr Shaw, demanding money.
While he pleaded guilty to manslaughter, Wain has never told the real story of what happened to Mr Shaw.
In sentencing, Justice Rita Incerti told the court Wain’s prospects of rehabilitation were “bleak”.
Wain will serve eight years before he is eligible for parole.
This is the fourth time Wain has been imprisoned for a violent offence, having previously served time for raping and assaulting a former partner while living in Queensland, recklessly causing injury during an aggravated burglary, and stabbing another housemate.
