A mother and her son have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for their involvement in the murder of an 18-year-old, Taj Hart, as part of a premeditated act of revenge. The tragic incident occurred in February 2022 in Nowra, on New South Wales’ south coast. Jayden Walmsley-Hume, aged 21, drove a dual-cab ute deliberately onto the footpath to strike Hart, who was walking near the road, leaving him trapped beneath the vehicle.
In August 2024, a jury at the NSW Supreme Court found both Walmsley-Hume and his mother, Katie Walmsley, 40, guilty of murder. During sentencing, Justice Robertson Wright highlighted the calculated nature of their actions, indicating that they were actively seeking an opportunity for revenge against Hart, with whom they had a history of conflict over the previous four years. The court noted that Hart had no chance to defend himself against the attack, which was described as cowardly.
Evidence during the trial showcased that tensions had escalated after a physical dispute resulting in an injury to Walmsley-Hume. Prior to the fatal encounter, he threatened Hart, fuelling the revenge motive. The pair were on the run for weeks following the incident, with Katie aiding her son in evading law enforcement by cleaning the ute and using aliases to find accommodation.
At trial, Walmsley-Hume initially claimed the damage to the vehicle was due to hitting a kangaroo, but eventually maintained he did not mean to kill Hart. However, Justice Wright found that the intent to kill was evident. The court also took into consideration the backgrounds of both defendants; Jayden’s struggles with substance abuse from a young age and Katie’s difficulties as a single parent and caretaker during her childhood.
The courtroom was filled with Hart’s family and friends, who wore shirts bearing his image. Justice Wright expressed that Hart symbolised unfulfilled potential, and his life was tragically cut short. He noted that no sentence could rectify the devastation caused by such a heinous act. Consequently, Walmsley-Hume received a sentence of 23 years and six months, with 16 years to serve before parole eligibility. Katie Walmsley was sentenced to 21 years and six months, with a non-parole period of 15 years.