General News
22 March, 2026
Dimboola man pleads guilty to murder
Dimboola man Thomas Clarke has pleaded guilty to murdering John Lindsay Hunter in his home in Dimboola on January 20, 2023.
His plea was heard in the Victorian Supreme Court on March 5, 2026, before the Honourable Justice Jane Dixon.
The plea of guilty was made on the basis that Clarke struck the deceased on the head with a hammer.
Though the court also heard that there were other possible contributors to his death, including mutilation and neck pressure.
The court heard Clarke believed Mr Hunter was a paedophile.
Ms Jodie Hill had previously been accused of Mr Hunter's murder along with Clarke, but she was acquitted by a jury on December 18, 2025, due to the exact cause of death not being determined.
The court was told a forensic pathologist said there were several possible causes of death, including head trauma.
Ms B Goding appeared on behalf of the Crown, and Ms S Lacy, with Ms S Stafford, appeared on behalf of the accused.
Both parties were given the opportunity to present their findings and examine documents pertaining to Clarke’s medical and mental health, along with the effects of childhood racism and intergenerational trauma.
While these were acknowledged by both parties, they also agreed that it was a heinous crime.
Provided to the court was the defence outline of plea submissions, an Aboriginal Community Justice Report, a forensic psychiatric report by Professor Rajan Darjee, a neuropsychological report by Laura Scott, the remand history report, a bundle of character references and a support letter from Marli Maddison from The Torch.
The deceased John Lindsay Hunter was 72 years old at the time of his murder in January 2023, and had lived at his home in Victoria Street since he purchased the property in September 2022.
He was dependent on oxygen since he was treated for lung cancer in December 2022.
He was a vulnerable person who lived alone and depended on friends to run errands and collect his shopping.
The court was told that Clarke and Hill had gone to the back door of Mr Hunter’s home at 11 Victoria Street on the day of the murder and demanded money from him.
He had refused to give them money, and they entered the house.
Mr Hunter ended up on the floor after they confronted him inside the house.
The court heard that Clarke stood over Mr Hunter and used the hammer to strike him to the head.
Clarke said in evidence he was present when Hill gouged the deceased's eyes and incised the deceased's head, body, and genitalia.
He dragged the deceased's body from the kitchen into the bedroom, where it was found by his friend who had brought shopping for him.
The court heard the deceased's oxygen breathing tube had been ripped from his face; Clarke had then struck him to the head with the hammer again.
His T-shirt was pulled up and placed over his head, and Hill used a boxcutter to carve into the deceased's body. The deceased's penis and scrotum were amputated.
Blood found at the scene near the deceased’s body had been identified as Clarke’s, and that resulted in his arrest on February 2, 2023, in Melbourne.
Evidence was presented to the court about Clarke having heard voices in his head for many years.
Two victim impact statements were submitted to the court, but only one was read out.
Mr Hunter’s friend, David Brown, read his statement saying the deceased had been a good friend and they had been mutually supportive of each other’s anxiety issues.
The court heard that Clarke had recognised the role that drug and alcohol had played in his condition and he had responded well to the psychiatric care he had received since being in custody.
Ms Lacy asked that the court show discretionary mercy, and in submission, the Defence called for a merciful approach so that Clarke might one day be back on country.
Ms Goding reminded the court, Clarke had committed a brutal murder of a vulnerable man in his own home.
She referred to the victim impact statements and the impact it had on them and the wider community of Dimboola and said she believed the only obvious option was a lengthy term of imprisonment.
The court adjourned to a date to be fixed for sentencing.