Ex-partner inflicted 'unimaginable' abuse on four women over a decade

CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to sexual and family violence.

Four women who were raped, choked, assaulted or even tortured by their ex-partner have detailed the devastating impact the horrific abuse has had on their lives.

Shay Kahu Murphy can be revealed as their abuser, due to the consent of the women and the removal of several suppression orders by the ACT Supreme Court on Tuesday (15 August).

Murphy, a former Canberra Hospital worker, committed his crimes over a decade, including cutting his ex-partner Anne* with keys and raping her when she was a virgin.

He waterboarded another partner, Belinda*, repeatedly punched her in her thighs and genitals while telling her “I hope you never have children”, and raped her while saying the fact she was crying was “a turn-off”.

He was found guilty of these offences at a trial in early 2023, where it had also been alleged that he was obsessed with the idea that both of the women had been cheating on him with their own brothers.

Meanwhile, Murphy pleaded guilty to accusing Charlotte* of being a sex worker before choking her and throwing her to the ground, as well as repeatedly shoving her and spitting into her eyes when he had a cold.

He also admitted grabbing Diana* and throwing her to the ground, causing her to hit her head.

“The physical and emotional abuse that you put me through was unimaginable,” Belinda told the 31-year-old in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday.

“You changed the way I see the world and all the people in it. But despite you, I grow stronger every day, I survive.”

Diana told him: “Your abuse is insidious, it sneaks up on you and by the time people around you notice, it’s too late.”

“You would gaslight and flip situations on me so fast I lost sight of what was real,” she said.

Charlotte wrote a statement for the court, in which she said she had never felt fear like she had when she was in a relationship with Murphy.

“I walked on eggshells, waiting for his next eruption,” she said.

Anne also wrote a statement, saying said how the “ripple effects” of the crimes had extended to her friends and family.

“Although I am eternally grateful for their support, they should not have to feel this pain,” she said.

Murphy’s barrister, James Maher, said his client’s conduct had come from “a position of weakness”, as the way he tried to exert control over the women came from a place of insecurity.

He also said his client had a disadvantaged upbringing where he was exposed to alcohol and physical abuse and would face the prospect of deportation when he was released from jail, as he is from New Zealand and is not an Australian citizen.

Prosecutor Anthony Williamson SC argued that some of the crimes fell into the worst case category for their charges.

He submitted that Murphy “showed utter disregard” to one woman during a rape, another rape was “clearly designed to humiliate and degrade”, while the waterboarding offence was “a form of torture” which had been “utterly terrifying”.

At the end of Murphy’s jury trial in February 2023, during which he had described himself as a “drummer in an emo band”, he was found guilty of nine charges and acquitted of six others.

He was found guilty of three counts of sexual intercourse without consent, four counts of assault, as well as single counts of inflicting actual bodily harm and causing grievous bodily harm by a negligent act.

In April 2023, he pleaded guilty to two counts of assault and one of choking.

After his trial had ended, Mr Williamson had applied to revoke his bail and read out a comment Murphy allegedly made to an ex-partner.

“There is nothing more dangerous than a man who has lost everything and I will take some c-t out before I go down,” he allegedly told her.

Justice David Mossop revoked his bail. He has remained behind bars since then and will be sentenced on Thursday (17 August).

*Anne, Belinda, Charlotte and Diana are not their real names.

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