Perth Man Sentenced to Life for Brutal Murder of Partner
A Perth man has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 21 years behind bars for the brutally violent murder of his partner, Tiffany Woodley, in her Bedford home. Peter Damjanovic, 39, carried out a persistent and horrific attack on the 35-year-old mother of three, resulting in her tragic death in 2023.
Details of the Violent Attack
On the night of the murder, Damjanovic had consumed amphetamines and half a bottle of port wine before engaging in a fight with Ms Woodley. He proceeded to beat her in the bathroom using a shower head, a towel rail, and his bare hands, causing 42 soft tissue injuries to her head. Justice Natalie Whitby described the assault as "brutally violent and persistent", noting that the extensive nature of the injuries would have been obvious to Damjanovic as he continued the attack.
When Ms Woodley stopped breathing, Damjanovic called triple-0, telling the operator that she was not breathing and that he had killed her. Upon his arrest, he confessed to police, stating, "Yes sir, yes, I’m a murderer." He also expressed remorse to a paramedic, saying, "I will burn in hell for it."
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Damjanovic initially faced a judge-alone trial due to the graphic and confronting evidence, but he pleaded guilty on the first day in October last year. His barrister, Simon Freitag SC, requested that Justice Whitby recuse herself from sentencing, citing potential bias because her husband, Police Minister Reece Whitby, had attended rallies protesting Ms Woodley’s murder. Mr Freitag argued that this raised concerns about apprehended bias, as Mr Whitby had marched alongside domestic violence advocate Rosalie Kickett, who provided a victim impact statement.
Justice Whitby dismissed the application, stating that her husband’s participation in a public march against domestic violence did not constitute bias. Mr Freitag acknowledged the horrific nature of the attack but asked the court to consider Damjanovic’s guilty plea, his call to emergency services, and the likelihood of him spending his entire sentence in protective custody due to safety risks from other prisoners.
Broader Impact and Domestic Violence Context
Ms Woodley’s death was part of a spate of high-profile domestic violence cases in Western Australia, which prompted crisis talks between advocacy groups, victims, WA Police, Premier Roger Cook, and Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Sabine Winton. These discussions focused on strategies to tackle the ongoing scourge of domestic violence in the community.
Justice Whitby emphasized the severity of the crime in her sentencing remarks, highlighting the need for accountability in such violent acts. The case has drawn significant public attention, underscoring the urgent need for continued efforts in domestic violence prevention and support for victims.
Damjanovic’s sentence of life imprisonment with a 21-year non-parole period reflects the gravity of his actions and serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence.
