A FATHER who brutally murdered an elderly Kempsey man, just weeks after being released from jail, has been sentenced to more than 17 years in prison.
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Richard Keith Smith, stood before the Port Macquarie Supreme Court after pleading guilty to the murder of Stanley "Bruce" Davies.
Mr Davies was subjected to "violence of the most awful kind" when he was killed during a home invasion in West Kempsey two years ago, the court heard earlier today.
Smith was one of three men from Kempsey charged in relation to the 75-year-old's death.
Justice Marianne Schmidt said the 30-year-old heroin and cannabis addict had robbed Mr Davies to "support his drug habit".
The court heard evidence suggested Smith did not intend to kill Mr Davies, but he was prepared to use violence to commit his crime.
Mr Davies was found badly beaten and lying between a bed and wall the day after his attack on November 20, 2010.
The sustained, violent attack left the elderly man with severe head, stomach and facial injuries, the court heard. Mr Davies died in Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital six days later.
An autopsy, doctor's assessment, forensic investigation, photos and a report from a clinical psychologist were tendered as evidence.
Smith will be eligible for release on January 2, 2029 with his parole ending on October 2, 2034.
The other two men charged in relation to his death have pleaded not guilty.
Steven John Smith, a 26-year-old man from Kempsey will stand trial at Grafton Supreme Court on September 30. Raymond Anthony Kennedy, 21, also of Kempsey, will face the same court on November 17.
