Man convicted of manslaughter claims no recollection of killing farmstay host

In a Melbourne Supreme Court hearing, 63-year-old Timothy Loosemore was found guilty by a jury of manslaughter for the 2023 killing of 60-year-old Maree Vermont at her farmstay in Goldie, central Victoria, and for setting fire to the stone house to conceal the scene. Loosemore, a British national with Australian citizenship, insisted he has no memory of the events, a stance his defence counsel argued precludes remorse, but Justice Michael Tinney dismissed the claim, citing the defendant’s self-centered remarks to police after the blaze.

Evidence showed blood on both victims and the accused, as well as facial injuries on Loosemore, suggesting a physical struggle. Prosecutor Mark Gibson presented twenty victim impact statements, including poignant testimonies from Vermont’s three sons about sleepless nights and the loss of family memories. While Loosemore was not charged with arson, the judge said the likely use of petrol to ignite the stone structure would be considered an aggravating factor. Sentencing is slated for the coming week.