A 38-year friendship ended in tragedy when Robert Paul Allen fatally attacked his childhood friend Matthew Laynton in a Maddington hovel, leading to a Supreme Court sentencing that has shocked the Perth community.
Violent End to Decades-Long Friendship
The Supreme Court of Western Australia heard that Robert Paul Allen, 55, killed his friend of nearly four decades, Matthew Laynton, 54, during a violent confrontation on October 14, 2022. The two men had been close friends since their teenage years, but their relationship deteriorated in the months leading up to the fatal incident.
According to court evidence, the confrontation occurred at a run-down property on Gosberth Road in Maddington, where both men had been living in squalid conditions. Justice Joseph McGrath described the scene as a "hovel" during sentencing remarks delivered on Friday, June 28, 2024.
Details of the Fatal Confrontation
The court heard that Allen attacked Laynton with such force that he caused catastrophic injuries. Forensic evidence revealed Laynton suffered 27 separate injuries, including multiple rib fractures and severe internal trauma. The attack occurred after tensions escalated between the two long-term friends.
Justice McGrath noted that while Allen didn't intend to kill his friend, his actions demonstrated "a significant degree of violence." The judge emphasized that the victim was vulnerable at the time of the attack and that Allen had failed to render assistance afterward.
Police discovered Laynton's body at the property following concerns raised by family members. Allen was arrested shortly after and initially charged with murder before pleading guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.
Sentencing and Community Impact
Justice McGrath sentenced Allen to seven years in prison, with eligibility for parole after serving five years. The sentence took into account Allen's early guilty plea and expressions of remorse.
The court heard victim impact statements from Laynton's family, who described the profound grief caused by his death. They spoke of the tragedy that a friendship spanning since their teenage years had ended in such violence.
This case highlights the devastating consequences that can occur when disputes between friends turn violent, particularly in situations involving vulnerable individuals living in difficult circumstances.
