Repeat domestic violence offender sentenced to life imprisonment for stabbing in Victoria Park

He once pushed a woman into oncoming traffic while she was temporarily confined to a wheelchair. In 2020, Dimer was convicted of assaulting Headland when he repeatedly punched her at a train station, forcing transit officers to intervene.

Prosecutor Paul Usher said there was a pattern of behavior toward women, but Dimer denied in his letter to the court that there had been any history of domestic violence.

“During this court case, I heard from many people that there was a domestic violence relationship between me and Shauna,” he said.

“I made a big mistake. I have regretted it ever since.”

Dimer had also previously been convicted of other crimes, including sexual penetration of a child, drug offenses, theft and weapons offenses.

Outside the courtroom, Headland's mother, Janis, said Dimer was “a very violent man” and gave a moving statement in the courtroom about the impact her daughter's death has had on her family.

She explained in court that her daughter, who was just 26 years old at the time of her death, had always put others before herself.

“She was so loving, caring and kind,” Janis said.

Headland’s brother described her as “unique.”

“She was the type of person who held our family together,” he said.

The court was told that Dimer and Headland had been drinking alcohol, smoking cannabis and taking methamphetamine on the day of their deaths.

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They were staying with Headland's sister when they got into an argument because Dimer wanted to go home but didn't have money for a taxi.

The court heard that the argument escalated and Dimer punched the 26-year-old in the face, threw scissors at her and then stabbed her with the knife.

He then fled the house and hid in a nearby bush for 30 minutes until he was found and arrested by the police.

Dimer maintained his innocence, but was sentenced by Judge Joseph McGrath to life in prison with 20 years probation.

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