Former Australian soldier gets life term for stabbing ex-partner in a fit of 'sexual jealousy'

A former Australian soldier has been handed a life term for killing his ex-girlfriend in a fit of "sexual jealousy", and will serve a minimum of 20 years in prison.

Dane Andrew Pilcher's sentencing came days after he was found guilty of murdering Corinne Henderson. A harrowing audio and visual footage was played to the jury during a two-week trial.

Pilcher's sentencing was read out by Supreme Court Justice David North, who said the 38-year-old had entered Henderson's Townsville apartment in north Queensland with "murderous intent" before he fatally stabbed her in September 2015.

"Corinne Henderson died because of a sustained and particularly violent attack by yourself. The evidence of your own messages indicates that you were motivated by vengeful jealousy when she ended your relationship and became involved with another man.

"The jury's verdict, based upon an overwhelming prosecution case, is that you went to, and forced your way into the apartment with murderous intent, and with that intent, attacked and killed Corinne Henderson."

According to court documents, the ex-soldier broke into the victim's apartment to confront her after seeing her pictures on social media with her rumoured new boyfriend, Dwayne Wickham.

Pilcher, who maintained his innocence until the trial ended, said when he entered the house through a kitchen window, he found Henderson already standing there with a knife. He only acted in self-defence, he said. But the jury dismissed his claims during a four-hour trial in August.

The jury also heard a recording of a call to Australia's primary emergency call service number – 000, which Pilcher made after the murder.

"I have killed my ex-partner. She is not moving at all. I am pretty sure she is dead."

"There is blood everywhere, blood everywhere ... it is everywhere. Oh my God, what have I f*****g done?" he is heard telling the operator.

However, he did not answer when the operator asked if there had been a "quarrel".

Police bodycam footage played to the courtroom also showed Henderson's body lying on the floor in a pool of blood, while CCTV recordings showed Wickham locked in the bathroom. He only emerged when officers assured him Pilcher had been taken into custody.

Prosecutor Michael Cowen QC said during the trial there were a few "societal myths" that came to light during the course of the case, some of which belong "back in the Victorian era".

"'If I can't have you, nobody will' [is] really what this case is about — sexual jealousy," he added.