The man responsible for murdering his friend Nathan Costello outside a Unanderra home three years ago will spend the 15 years behind bars for his crime.
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Matthew Henry Spinks, 37, was found guilty of murder by a 12-person jury in February following a two-week Supreme Court trial in Wollongong.
The jury found Spinks had intentionally fired a 12-gauge shotgun towards or near Nathan Costello, who was standing on the grass verge near a car, in the early hours of February 14, 2018 outside Carr Parade, Unanderra.
Justice Peter Hamill ruled the only reasonable inference was Spinks intended to kill Mr Costello at the time his discharged the firearm before imposing a total sentence of 20 years in jail with a non-parole period of 15 years and 7 months.
He labelled Spinks' actions that night as "premeditated" and "planned", adding he tried to establish a false alibi.
"His callous and premeditated actions have left a trail of devastation," Justice Hamill said.
He extended his sympathy to Mr Costello's family and friends, many of whom were in court, before saying he hoped their pain eased with time.
"It is clear Mr Costello has and will continue to be dearly missed," Justice Hamill said.
It was determined Spinks deliberately shot Mr Costello in "revenge" after he went to Spinks' Koonawarra home on February 5, 2018 and threatened him, armed with a knife, as he was paranoid Spinks was sleeping with his partner Melanie Hazell.
The jury heard Spinks and Mr Costello, who was schizophrenic, were friends before they had a falling out.
On the night of his death, Mr Costello and Ms Hazell went to his friend's Unanderra home so his friend, Daniel Blow, could fix his car.
At about 2.15am, Costello was standing between his car and the fence of the house when Spinks drove a black Mercedes SUV alongside Mr Costello's car, after circling the area several times.
Spinks pulled out a 12-gauge shotgun and fired two shots, with the pellets hitting Mr Costello in the face, neck, chest and shoulder while the other shot landed in the car.
Ms Hazell, who got out of the car, tried to prop Mr Costello up as he had blood in his mouth but he died from his injuries.
Spinks drove away slowly before it accelerated harshly.
Police found the car dumped and burned at Noonga Reserve in Cordeaux Heights a day later, with Spinks fingerprints found inside. He was later arrested.
The sentence was backdated given Spinks have been in custody, to August 2018 and he will be eligible for parole in March 2034.
More to come.
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