A BRIT man killed and burnt his Airbnb host inside her home after she rejected his twisted advances.
Maree Vermont, 60, was found dead in the rural Australian home she spent over thirty years building.
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Her intensely burnt remains were discovered among the ashes in August 2023.
On Thursday, Timothy Loosemore, 63, was spared a murder sentence over the death of Maree and was found guilty by Supreme Court jury of manslaughter.
The prosecution claimed Loosemore murdered Maree in cold blood at her home 43 miles from Melbourne before covering his tracks by setting her beloved home ablaze.
The substantial impact of that fire on her body made it impossible for forensic experts to determine the exact cause of death.
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This left the jury with “reasonable doubt” that Loosemore acted with absolute intent.
The Brit from Somerset unwavering claimed to have no memory of that night.
Defence barrister Christopher Farrington told the court: “My client struggles to reconcile he could be responsible for the taking of her life.”
Presiding Justice Michael Tinney, however, said despite not being able to determine how Maree was killed, his crimes should still be considered as a very serious in sentencing.
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He said: “Because he has never told the truth about what occurred, the mechanism of death will remain unclear to anyone other than Mr Loosemore.”
Loosemore had been an on-and-off guest at Ms Vermont’s home, renting a room on multiple occasions since March 2023.
Crown prosecutor Mark Gibson, KC, told the jury that Loosemore “snapped” when his desire for a intimate relationship was repeatedly rejected by Ms Vermont.
He said the pair had a “brief sexual dalliance” early on in their association.
Mr Gibson claimed Loosemore violently assaulted Maree before he covered up the crime.
He said: “He did something horrific to Maree Vermont.
“Something he needed to conceal from the world.”
Justice Tinney rejected Loosemore’s amnesia-claims saying he had been “struck” by his strange behaviour while being interviewed by police in hospital hours after the fire.
He said: “At no time did he ask, ‘have you found her, is she safe’, the only concern was for himself, his bicycle and other possessions.”
Maree’s blood was later found all over Loosemore’s clothing, the court heard.
Forensic experts said no sooting was found in the victims airways and no carbon monoxide was detected in her blood, indicating she was likely dead before the fire was lit.
Maree was discovered lying face down in her ash-covered living room where three kitchen knives were also found, despite there being five possible exits.
The jury heard the severity of the inferno was consistent with flammable liquid having been spread, with petrol components detected on a mat and blanket in the house.
Moderately evaporated petrol was also found on Loosemore’s clothing and shoes.
Loosemore did not give evidence at either trial and his account of what happened that night came from what he had previously told neighbours, paramedics, police, and a doctor.
The prosecution submitted 20 victim impact statements – including those of Maree’s three son’s.
Harrison Vermont told the court the uncertainty of how his mother died had kept him awake at night with different scenarios playing “over and over again” in his mind.
He continued: “The loss of her life through a violent and deliberate event is something I can’t come to terms with.
“I, along with my brothers, moved back to the family farm, which unfortunately now has a burnt-out shell for a house and an ever present reminder of what happened.”
The court heard Loosemore had been a successful businessman who had once owned his own construction business, which he used to obtain Australian citizenship in 2007.
He later returned to England with his family before deciding to cycle around Australia at the time he killed Ms Vermont.
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Loosemore will be sentenced next week.
Mr Gibson urged Justice Andrew Tinney to impose a sentence as severe as possible for the charge of manslaughter.