Karaoke Businessman Sentenced to Up to 24 Years for Brutal Murder of Girlfriend
A court in Victoria, Australia, has sentenced a karaoke businessman to up to 24 years in prison after he brutally murdered his girlfriend. Paul Ross Charlton, 69, killed Joanne Howell in April 2007 after she tried to end their relationship. Justice James Elliot told Charlton that he would likely spend the rest of his life behind bars.
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The court heard that Ms. Howell’s body was found at the bottom of the stairs in her Hughesdale home. She had been strangled and her skull was fractured. Charlton, who had moved in with Howell after just a few months of dating, attempted to shift the blame onto an unknown intruder. He even performed a Nazi salute at Ms. Howell when she told him she wanted him out of her life.
Despite being identified as the prime suspect, Charlton evaded charges for over a decade. It was only in 2021, when the cold case was reopened by homicide investigators, that he was finally charged with Ms. Howell’s murder. In July of this year, a Supreme Court jury found Charlton guilty after just one day of deliberations.
During the sentencing, Justice Elliot condemned Charlton’s actions as an “extreme act” of domestic violence. He emphasized that Ms. Howell had the right to feel safe in her own home and expressed his disbelief that Charlton had shown no remorse. In fact, Charlton had even applied for a compensation payout for the crime he committed.
Charlton’s defense collapsed in the dock upon hearing the verdict. He will now have to serve a minimum of 19 years in jail before being eligible for parole. Given his age, it is likely that Charlton will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
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This case serves as a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence. Justice Elliot’s sentencing sends a strong message that such acts will not be tolerated in society. The victim’s family can finally find some closure knowing that justice has been served.
