Toby Loughnane, aged 45, has been sentenced to a minimum of 20 years in prison after being found guilty of murdering Maryam Hamka. The Victorian Supreme Court’s decision brings closure for Hamka’s family after a lengthy four-year wait, as expressed by her brother, Hassan, who declared that justice had been served, though they acknowledged it would not bring Maryam back.
Loughnane maintained that Hamka, 37, had died from a drug overdose, but the jury rejected his claims of innocence, accepting the prosecution’s argument of intentional assault. Neighbours reported hearing troubling sounds from Loughnane’s apartment on the night of the incident, which culminated in Loughnane sending messages from Hamka’s phone to a friend shortly after.
Following Hamka’s death, Loughnane concealed her body in his bathtub and later transported it to a shallow grave in Cape Schanck. Justice Christopher Beale noted the context of chronic domestic violence during the relationship, highlighted by numerous threats Loughnane had made against Hamka. His history of abusive behaviour and lack of remorse influenced the judge’s decision, although Loughnane did receive a slight reduction in his sentence due to eventually disclosing the location of Hamka’s remains.
Loughnane is eligible for parole after 20 years, having already served nearly four years.