A man who stabbed his ex-wife to death should be shown a “degree of leniency” in sentencing, in part because of his previously clean criminal record and his remorse, his lawyer says.
Darren Mark Wake will be sentenced in June after pleading guilty to the murder of midwife Rachel Wake, 52, at her Hobart home on Christmas Day 2021.
The couple, who had two children together, married in 2001 but separated in mid-2011.
Wake brought home a knife he purchased online after telling Mrs. Wake he wanted to deliver a gift.
When she got to the front door, she told Wake that her son didn’t want to see him and that he shouldn’t go any further.
Darren Wake told his ex-wife, midwife Rachel Wake, 52 (pictured), he wanted to give her a gift before stabbing her 17 times.
Wake pulled the knife from his pocket and stabbed her 17 times, including in the neck.
She was rushed to the hospital, but died shortly after.
Wake’s lawyer, Fabiano Cangelosi, told the Tasmanian Supreme Court his client had no criminal record other than three traffic offenses and was living a normal life until the crime.
Cangelosi said Wake, who was a nurse, was deeply remorseful and immediately called emergency services and provided medical care to Wake after stabbing her.
Cangelosi said Wake, who has been in prison since the murder, understood he would spend many years in prison.
“(He) can’t go back in time to change what happened, but he is committed to making things better for others,” Cangelosi told the court Wednesday.
‘While (this is) a terrible and serious crime (and) he knows it, in this case there is still an opportunity to exercise a degree of leniency.
“And allowing a person to try, in small ways, to make amends for what they’ve done.”
The court was told Wake had provided “significant assistance” on four serious matters, which were not detailed at the public hearing.
Cangelosi said it was only fair that Wake serve the shortest possible non-parole period because of his prior good behavior, 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 question of Wake’s good record or rehabilitation, but the minimum time he was required to serve justice.
Darren Wake (pictured), has asked for leniency in sentencing due to his previously clean criminal record and his remorse, despite murdering his ex-wife on Christmas Day 2021.
“He also tried to downplay the reason he went there with the knife by saying it was a gift for his daughter,” Mr Coates said.
“The fact is that he took the knife thinking he might have had to use it if he was not given access to his son.”
In February, Wake’s mother told the court that her only daughter was smart, funny, loyal and a “ray of sunshine” with a deep love for her family.
He said his daughter was happy with a new partner and a new life.
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