A man who stabbed his ex-wife to death should be given a “degree of leniency” at sentencing, partly because of his previously clean criminal record and remorse, his lawyer says.
Darren Mark Wake will be sentenced in June after pleading guilty to the murder of 52-year-old midwife Rachel Wake at her Hobart home on Christmas Day 2021.
The couple, who had two children together, married in 2001 but separated in mid-2011.
Wake took home a jackknife he bought online after telling Mrs. Wake he wanted to deliver a present.
When he reached the front door, she told Wake that their son didn’t want to see him and that he shouldn’t come any further.
Darren Wake told his ex-wife, 52-year-old midwife Rachel Wake (pictured), that he wanted to give her a present before stabbing her 17 times
Wake took the knife from his pocket and stabbed her seventeen times, including in the neck.
She was rushed to hospital, but died shortly afterwards.
Wake’s lawyer Fabiano Cangelosi told the Supreme Court of Tasmania his client had no criminal record apart from three driving offences, and had led a normal life until the crime.
Mr Cangelosi said Wake, a nurse, was deeply remorseful and immediately called emergency services and provided medical attention to Mrs Wake after he stabbed her.
Mr Cangelosi said Wake, who has been in prison since the murder, understood he would spend many years in prison.
“(He) cannot go back in time to change what happened, but is committed to making things better for others,” Cangelosi told the court on Wednesday.
“Although (this is) a terrible, serious crime (and) he knows that, this is a case where there is still the opportunity to show some degree of leniency.
“And to give someone the opportunity to try to make up for what they’ve done in small ways.”
The court was told Wake had provided ‘significant assistance’ in four serious matters – which were not discussed in open court.
Mr Cangelosi said it was fair that Wake served the shortest possible non-parole period because of his previous good behaviour, remorse and cooperation.
Wake was charged with murder on December 26, 2021, and pleaded not guilty in October 2022 before changing his plea in December 2023.
Director of Public Prosecutions Daryl Coates SC said it was not just a matter of Wake’s record or rehabilitation, but of the minimum time he needed to serve justice.
Darren Wake (pictured) has asked for leniency due to his previously clean record and remorse, despite the murder of his ex-wife on Christmas Day in 2021
“He also tried to downplay the reason why he went there with the knife, saying it was a gift for his daughter,” Coates said.
“The fact was that he took the knife because he thought he might have had to use it if he hadn’t been given access to his son.”
In February, Mrs Wake’s mother told the court her only daughter was smart, funny, loyal and a “ray of sunshine” with a deep love for her family.
She said her daughter was happy with a new partner and a new life.
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