Getaway driver Reatile Ncube won't return to jail over Glenn Walewicz murder

The getaway driver who drove Glenn Walewicz’s murderers away from the scene of his shooting avoided being returned to jail when he was sentenced for his role in the “tragedy”.

Reatile Ncube met up with a number of others at a home in Belconnen on the night of 10 June 2021, before three of them got into his car and told him to drive to Mansfield Place in Phillip.

He understood their plan was to demand money from some people who lived there, but when he parked and stayed behind while the others got out of his car, they went to the wrong unit.

When Mr Walewicz responded to a knock to his door, he was shot in the neck and died shortly afterwards.

Ncube drove the others from the scene, speeding and driving through a red light. During the drive, one of the others referred to someone being shot.

On Friday (3 February), Acting Justice Peter Berman told the ACT Supreme Court that the death of Mr Walewicz was “a tragedy, which has no doubt affected those who he loved and who loved him”.

He was an “entirely innocent victim”, shot by offenders intent on stealing money or drugs, but who went to the wrong home, the acting justice said.

He said Ncube, who pleaded guilty to a charge of accessory after the fact to murder, assisted those in Mr Walewicz’s killing by driving them from the scene at high speed.

But while he knew someone had been shot, he did not learn that person had died until a few days later.

Acting Justice Berman said Ncube decided to get involved in the offence while under the influence of drugs and had since written a letter for the court to say he took responsibility for his actions.

He said the time the 19-year-old had spent in jail was enough, as he had been locked up for six months on remand which had been an eye-opening experience for him.

Ncube was convicted and sentenced to two years’ jail, suspended from Friday, with a good behaviour order imposed for the balance of the two-year term.

A total of six people were arrested over the death of Mr Walewicz.

The alleged shooter, who was aged 17 at the time, pleaded guilty to murder and remains to be sentenced.

Gary Taylor, from Baradine in NSW, also pleaded guilty to murder over his role and will be sentenced in the future.

Holt woman Nicole Williams has pleaded not guilty and has been committed to the Supreme Court for trial.

Jayden Douglas Williams, from Glen Innes in NSW, also pleaded not guilty to his charges and has been committed for trial as well.

A murder charge against a 13-year-old boy was dropped last year.