Killer 'had history of violence when drinking'

A man who fatally stabbed a young father at a 21st birthday party has a history of acting aggressively and violently when he is drinking, a court has been told.

Jamie Devine, 20, died after Ashley James Gunson stabbed him in the heart with a pair of scissors at an Atwell party in January last year.

Gunson, who claimed he was acting in self defence, was found guilty of murder in December after a Supreme Court trial He was also found guilty of unlawfully wounding Brodie Brouns but was acquitted of unlawfully wounding partygoer Karl Viandante.

Justice Ralph Simmonds said Gunson was behaving in an angry and aggressive way when he armed himself with a dangerous weapon.

He told the court Gunson's loved ones described him as a different person and someone who was prone to anger when he was drinking.

"He acted recklessly in drinking the amount that he did," he said.

During the trial, the jury was told Gunson plunged the full length of the scissors into Mr Devine's chest.

He fled after the attack but was stopped and assaulted by partygoers.

In a victim impact statement, Mr Devine's former partner Julianne Malone said his death had changed her and torn her apart.

She said she never planned on being a mother and a father figure for their daughter Maddison.

"Maddison has lost her father, the person who is supposed to teach her and support her," she said.

"I have dreams that I'm still with Jamie."

Transcripts of recorded phone calls Gunson made shortly after his conviction were given to Justice Simmonds.

Defence lawyer John Bougher said Gunson was clearly upset and distressed when he was on the phone.

He told the court threats had been made against Gunson after the verdict and his friends had also been targeted, leading to one of them moving house.

Mr Bougher said Gunson thought he was in some sort of danger at the party and had since shown remorse.

Gunson will be sentenced on Wednesday.