A Mount Austin man has been jailed for his role in the disappearance and alleged murder of Wagga woman Allecha Boyd.
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Anthony Shane Hagan, 20, appeared at Wagga Supreme Court on Friday where he was sentenced to four years and nine months in jail, with a non-parole period of three years.
It is backdated to November 2017 when he was placed in custody, meaning he could be released as early as November 2020.
The sentencing is for the conviction of being an accessory after the fact, which Hagan pleaded guilty to in December 2018.
Ms Boyd, 27, worked as a chef and was last seen in Coolamon on the afternoon of August 10, 2017.
Hagan confessed to taking her body from about five kilometres south of Coolamon, where she was allegedly killed, to a remote location within the Lester State Forest.
Once there, Hagan said he helped to dig Ms Boyd's grave and covered her body with dirt and small branches.
Police have conducted numerous and extensive searches but have not yet found her remains.
In his sentencing remarks on Friday, Justice Richard Button said that the offence is undoubtedly a serious one.
"Doing such a thing surely attracts the condemnation of the community and a sentencing must reflect that condemnation," Justice Button said.
"Allecha Boyd, a vulnerable young woman who was caught up in the world of prohibited drugs, was brutally murdered by another man by way of being shot to death."
He said the matter cries out for special circumstances.
"Bearing in mind the age of the offender and his background, the circumstances in which he is and will be in prison and the extensive help that he will need," Justice Button said.
Justice Button also extended his condolences to all who are suffering.
"It is possible that the conclusion of proceeds against this offender today will provide some degree of closure in the journey of this family of the deceased through the criminal justice system, he said."
Family and friends share impact
On Friday, Allecha Boyd's family members and friends, who had love-heart shaped badges pinned onto their clothes in memory of her, filled the court gallery.
Family members read out their victim impact statements.
Sister Rhiannon Boyd said she has had medication for her anxiety and depression since the incident.
She also told the court the events leading up to and during Allecha's disappearance and how one phone call from Wagga police stood out.
"I knew straight away something was wrong," Rhiannon said.
"At that moment, I was hiding behind my mums hot water system in the backyard so my mum couldn't hear me.
"Brent [police detective] said Allecha has been murdered.
"Instantly I wanted to fall to the ground trying to keep myself together, I was whispering and hyperventilating at the same time."
Rhiannon told the court that Allecha would be remembered for her beautiful smile and "awesome sense of humour".
The court also heard from Allechas mother, Leah Freeman.
Ms Freeman described Allecha as "being one piece of her heart that is no longer there".
"A piece of my heart is missing and it'll never be whole again," Ms Freeman said.
"I miss Allecha just coming home unexpectedly and saying 'Hi, mum, Im home for a couple of days'.
"I feel depressed, I feel hopeless. I feel so sad because I can't save you."
Hagan's role under spotlight
While the family read out their statements, Hagan sat still with his arms folded with his head bowed down.
Hagan was also called to the witness box where he was questioned about his role in burying Allecha and removing evidence of the car that transported her to the burial site.
As well, he was questioned about his psychological assessment, why he did not assist police initially and his relationship with a co-accused, who is currently before the courts for allegedly murdering Allecha.
The crown prosecution and defence made submissions related to those matters, as well as Hagan's remorse, upbringing, age and maturity and previous criminal record.
In his oral submission, Crown prosecutor Trevor Bailey said the offence was in the upper range of objective seriousness.
"It's not just burying a body but also disposing of a car," Mr Bailey said.
"It was very callous, a very cold blooded way of conducting oneself.
"It was aggravated by the fact he remained silent for so long."
Feels totally violated that somebody takes my child and I still dont have her back.
- Leah Freeman, mother of Allecha Boyd
The court also heard that Hagan was found to have possessed a firearm before he was arrested.
Hagan told the court he wanted to commit suicide following the burying of Allecha.
Defence barrister Michael King argued that Hagan was not aware of the situation between the alleged murderer and Ms Boyd and was involved only in the incident by digging the grave.
"He was thrust into a situation," Mr King said.
"He did not in any way touch or otherwise interfere with the deceased.
"He did act because he was scared of the consequences [from the alleged murderer]".
Mr King also cited Hagans limited intelligence due to a low education level and troubled upbringing.
However, the Crown prosecutor said Hagan's failure to notify police wasn't a failure in intellect, it was a failure in common decency.
Following the sentencing, Allecha's mother, Leah Freeman, walked out with Rhiannon and Tammara by her side.
"I couldn't believe it, I'm still in disbelief," Ms Freeman said.
"[It] feels totally violated that somebody takes my child and I still dont have her back."
She said the sentence is just not enough.
Allecha's father, Ian, said the sentencing "didn't work for all of us".
"I don't work full time anymore, just can't do it because it's just too much for me," he said.
Two others are before the courts on charges relating to Ms Boyds disappearance.
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