A guest at a farmstay has been convicted of manslaughter in connection with the death of a woman in central Victoria, yet he claims to have no recollection of the events. The Supreme Court heard from Maree Vermont’s family and friends, who expressed their profound sorrow over her tragic loss in 2023.
Timothy Loosemore, aged 63, is awaiting sentencing next week after a jury found him guilty of manslaughter but not guilty of murder regarding the death of 60-year-old Maree Vermont at her residence in Goldie, central Victoria, earlier this year. Her charred remains were discovered in the ruins of the house she had built with her family, which Loosemore set ablaze in an attempt to eliminate evidence of the crime.
During today’s proceedings in Melbourne’s Supreme Court, both the prosecution and defense presented their arguments as the court prepares for Loosemore’s sentencing. Justice Michael Tinney noted that while the exact circumstances surrounding Ms. Vermont’s death remain unclear, it still constitutes a serious case of manslaughter for sentencing purposes.
“The lack of clarity regarding the cause of death can be attributed to his failure to provide truthful accounts of the incident; only Mr. Loosemore knows the specifics of that night,” Justice Tinney remarked.
Evidence presented in court indicated signs of a struggle, with Ms. Vermont’s blood found on Loosemore’s clothing, as well as injuries on his face. Defense attorney Christopher Farrington argued that Loosemore has consistently stated he has “no memory of the events,” suggesting he feels no accountability or remorse for his actions.
“My client grapples with the notion that he could be responsible for her death,” stated Mr. Farrington. However, Justice Tinney expressed skepticism regarding Loosemore’s claimed memory loss. He recalled being unsettled by Loosemore’s demeanor during police questioning shortly after the fire, where Loosemore showed no concern for Ms. Vermont, only for his possessions.
Prosecutor Mark Gibson submitted 20 victim impact statements, including poignant accounts from Ms. Vermont’s three sons, who shared their statements in court. Harrison Vermont spoke about the torment of not knowing the details of his mother’s death, which has plagued him with sleepless nights filled with distressing scenarios.
“Coming to terms with the violent and intentional nature of her death is incredibly difficult,” he shared, adding that he and his brothers returned to the family farm, now a haunting reminder of the tragedy.
Lachlan, Ms. Vermont’s youngest son, had planned to return to the farm shortly after her passing and expressed his sorrow over missed opportunities to connect with her. “There will always be things I wish to share with her, a goodbye I never got to say,” he lamented.
Another son, Darcy Vermont, described their mother as a source of unwavering love and encouragement. “It’s heartbreaking that she won’t be here to witness our lives and milestones,” he stated, emphasizing the emotional toll of losing both his mother and their family home.
Justice Tinney indicated that although Loosemore was not charged with arson, the destruction of the house would be considered an aggravating factor during sentencing. He suggested there was compelling evidence that an accelerant, likely petrol, was used to ignite the fire, given the materials of the house.
Defense attorney Farrington contended that the prosecution did not sufficiently prove the use of an accelerant during the trial, arguing it was not essential to establish this fact if the fire was already deemed intentional. The court also learned that Loosemore, a British national holding Australian citizenship, had no previous criminal record and has three adult children in the UK. He initially came to Australia for a cycling holiday with his son in 2022 but remained in the country, staying at various farmstay locations before arriving at Ms. Vermont’s home in early 2023.
