A man who tried to hire a hitman to kill his estranged wife
in northern Tasmania has been sentenced to four years in
jail.
Launceston man Darryl Scott Donohue, 41, told an undercover
police officer in October last year he would pay $10,000 to
have his wife of four years killed.
Donohue gave the officer a photo of his wife, her address and
an outline of her daily routine.
"It seems that he hated his wife because he could not get his
way with her and she was in the way of him obtaining custody
of the children," Chief Justice Ewan Crawford said in his
judgment.
" ... Overall, the circumstances of the incitement to murder
are chilling."
Donohue had pleaded guilty to inciting to commit murder and
to stalking.
Chief Justice Crawford said he had twice previously offered
another man the $10,000 to perform the hit.
Donohue denied making the offer when the man reported it to
police.
"The incitement was not a spur of the moment decision but a
premeditated plan that extended at least for a month," Chief
Justice Crawford said.
Donohue separated from his wife and two children in April
last year and a family violence order was made.
Chief Justice Crawford said Donohue had repeatedly breached
the order by stalking his wife, who at one stage left the
state.
Donohue will be eligible for parole in two years.
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