‘Beyond redemption’: man who tried to kill victim by stabbing, setting her on fire gets nearly 30 years' jail

CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to graphic violence.

A man who tried to kill a woman by stabbing her 11 times and then repeatedly burning her for 10 minutes is likely “beyond redemption”, a judge said before handing him almost 30 years’ jail.

Daryl Allan Robertson was convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to 27 years’ jail with a non-parole period of 20 years by the ACT Supreme Court on Tuesday (12 December).

At one stage, the 53-year-old tried to interrupt Chief Justice Lucy McCallum while she was sentencing him, which led to a period of silence in the courtroom.

On the night of 28 September 2022, the woman had been on the phone in her bedroom when, unbeknownst to her, Robertson was listening to her conversations while outside her window.

He went inside, took off his pants, shouted at her and then grabbed a large carving knife from the kitchen.

He stabbed her 11 times, one leaving a 10 cm-deep wound in her chest before she fled outside and screamed for help.

Over the next 10 minutes, Robertson set the spray from aerosol cans alight and used it to burn her across her body. When the first can ran out, he grabbed several others to continue the attack, then also burnt her with a burning rag.

The flames were large enough to be seen over a seven-foot-high fence by neighbours.

Police arrived 10 minutes after they were called to hear the woman screaming in pain. They could also see bursts of flame coming from the backyard.

The woman had been burned on 21 per cent of her body and her injuries were assessed as critical. She needed life-saving treatment at hospital.

The officers had found Robertson inside a bedroom where he told them he wanted to put his pants on.

Chief Justice McCallum said body-worn camera footage showed the “immense suffering” of the woman, as well as the fact Robertson was more interested in putting his trousers on than responding to police, let alone helping the woman with her injuries. He had not shown the smallest indication that he had any feelings towards her.

The chief justice also noted that the footage recorded the courage and compassion displayed by the police called to the scene and she commended them for their efforts.

The woman watched the sentencing over audio-visual link, with visible burn scars on her body. She had also appeared during Robertson’s sentencing hearing earlier this week.

“I want to be here in court so you can see what he has done to me, so you can see my burns,” she wrote in a statement read to the court.

She has been in hospital for over a year so far and has had seven surgeries.

“When I think about what Daryl did to me, I feel scared. I’m still scared of Daryl and what he might do to me next,” she said.

“I feel like I’m burning, even when I’m cold.”

Robertson pleaded guilty and prosecutor Beth Morrisroe had argued that the attack should be considered as among the worst for his charge.

The chief justice agreed, saying it plainly fell in this category. She described his crime as “horrific” and said it had a life-altering impact on the woman who required full-time care.

Chief Justice McCallum said Robertson had a long recidivist history of violence, including against the same woman, and he had not shown any remorse.

She said there was no explanation for the offending and no apology to the woman “for the bitter fate she has been dealt”.

She accepted Ms Morrisroe’s submission that he may be seen as “beyond redemption”.

“But for the plea, I would have imposed the sentence of imprisonment for life,” she said.

With time served, Robertson will be eligible for parole in December 2042, when he will be 72.

If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact:

Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis support line – 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800 or kidshelpline.com.au
MensLine Australia – 1300 789 978 or mensline.org.au
1800RESPECT is the national domestic and sexual violence support service – 1800 737 732 or 1800respect.org.au.