A Geelong man will spend at least two years behind bars for a terrifying home invasion where he attacked a Belmont mother with a meat cleaver.
Violent Home Invasion in Belmont
Anthony Larmah, aged 25, was sentenced in the County Court of Victoria on Thursday after pleading guilty to charges including aggravated burglary, intentionally causing injury, and theft. The court heard the chilling details of the attack, which occurred on the afternoon of January 7, 2023.
Larmah and an unknown accomplice forced their way into a Belmont home on Roslyn Road. The victim, a mother who was home with her children, confronted the intruders. In a shocking act of violence, Larmah struck the woman on the head with the blunt side of a meat cleaver. He then proceeded to ransack the property, stealing a wallet, car keys, and the family's black Volkswagen Tiguan.
Police Pursuit and Arrest
The stolen vehicle was spotted by police in the Geelong suburb of Norlane just hours after the invasion. Officers attempted to intercept the Tiguan, but Larmah, who was driving, took off, initiating a dangerous police chase.
The pursuit continued through residential streets in Norlane and Corio, reaching speeds deemed dangerous by the presiding judge. Larmah eventually lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a fence on Princes Highway. He and his passenger fled on foot but were quickly apprehended by police.
Forensic evidence played a crucial role in linking Larmah to the crime. His DNA was found on the stolen car's steering wheel and gear stick, and the stolen wallet was discovered in his possession at the time of his arrest.
Court Sentencing and Victim Impact
In handing down the sentence, Judge Michael Cahill condemned Larmah's actions, stating the home invasion would have been a "terrifying experience" for the victim and her family. The judge noted the particular vulnerability of the victim, who was attacked in her own home—a place where she was entitled to feel safe.
Larmah was sentenced to a total of three years' imprisonment. With time already served, he will be eligible for parole after serving two years. His accomplice remains unidentified and at large.
The court acknowledged Larmah's difficult upbringing and his early plea of guilty, which saved the victim from having to testify. However, Judge Cahill emphasised the need for a sentence that reflected the seriousness of the violent and brazen offence.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the traumatic impact of violent home invasions on victims and communities in the Geelong region.
