Killer could be free in 12 years after stabbing friend

A wheelchair user who killed his friend who tried to stop him from harming himself could be released from prison within 12 years.

Mark Ludbrook, 54, stabbed Autumn Baker to death at her home in Melbourne on August 3, 2023, while under the influence of the illegal drug PCE.

Ludbrook had taken the drug to relieve pain from a rare neurological disorder and argued at the hearing that he was unaware of his actions because the drug changed his mind.

However, a Victorian Supreme Court jury rejected this claim and found that Ludbrook had consciously, deliberately and premeditatedly killed 40-year-old Miss Baker.

Judge James Gorton said on Thursday the attack was frightening and horrific but it was clear Ludbrook’s judgment was severely affected by the drugs.

“This explains behavior that is otherwise completely inexplicable,” the judge told the court.

In sentencing Ludbrook, 54, to a maximum of 19 years behind bars, Judge Gorton found Ludbrook’s moral culpability had significantly diminished.

With his term having expired, Ludbrook will only be eligible for parole in 12 years.

Ludbrook, who watched the sentence via video link in prison, did not react when he learned his fate.

In the courtroom, Ms. Baker’s family and friends shook their heads, some wiping away tears.

Twenty victim impact statements were previously submitted to the court, which Judge Gorton said showed Ms Baker was a kind, generous and much-loved woman.

The judge noted that even in her final moments, Ms Baker was trying to help a friend.

“He didn’t do anything to provoke you and was just trying to help,” Judge Gorton told Ludbrook.

The judge described the case as “very unusual”, noting that Ludbrook was walking around naked, bound to a wheelchair, for more than an hour before the murder.

He also told his handler, Amber Davison, that she had to sleep with him to save the animals.

“(Ms Davison) found your behavior disturbing,” Judge Gorton said.

Ludbrook then grabbed a knife from the kitchen and stabbed himself in the stomach while Ms Baker tried to pull the gun away from him.

Instead, he turned the gun on her and stabbed her repeatedly in the chest, arms and eyes.

Judge Gorton found that although Ludbrook was conscious of his actions, it was clear that the drugs were driving him into strange and violent behaviour.

The judge noted that Ludbrook had previously taken illegally sourced ketamine to relieve his pain without any problems, but this was the first time he had consumed PCE.

Judge Gorton said there was little information about the effects of the drug so it was not possible for Ludbrook to predict what would happen next.

“This is not an excuse… but it is relevant,” the judge said.

Judge Gorton found that the drugs had affected Ludbrook’s judgement, so his moral culpability should be deemed to have been substantially mitigated.

Judge Gorton accepted the 54-year-old was also remorseful and very sorry for his actions.

The judge deemed Ludbrook’s prospects for rehabilitation good and said his time in prison would be more difficult due to his neurological condition.

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