“Pure evil” killer Robert Karl Huber, 69, frequently beat his partner Lindy ‘Kimmy’ Lucena, 64, over the course of their five-year relationship before murdering her on January 3, 2023
The brave daughter of a disabled woman who was beaten to death by her “pure evil” partner has shared her story in court.
Twisted killer Robert Karl Huber, 69, frequently beat his partner Lindy ‘Kimmy’ Lucena, 64, over the course of their five-year relationship before killing her on January 3, 2023. The couple had been sleeping rough in the town of Ballina in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales in Australia.
Huber had consumed half a bottle of gin and taken sedatives before he attacked his partner in a sustained assault that left her seriously injured. Ms Lucena’s daughter broke down in tears today as she described to the NSW Supreme Court how her mother’s body had been left almost unrecognisable following the savage attack.
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“The only thing that pushed me forward was knowing how scared and how weak she would have been in those last moments of her life, or any other time this monster harmed her,” she told the hearing.
Through tears she described the “life-shattering” loss of her mother, saying that losing parents was a part of life, but: “Not everyone loses their mum at the hands of pure evil manifested.”
Ms Lucena did not die of her injuries however Justice Stephen Rothman found that the beating was a “substantial cause of death” combined with coronary heart disease and a small amount of methadone. The court heard how throughout their relationship Huber had displayed “extremely controlling” behavior and physical abuse, which had caused her to miss her daughter’s wedding.
Ms Lucena had cognitive and physical impairments as the result of a stroke she suffered in 2021, vulnerabilities which Huber exploited, the judge said. In a conversation with a psychologist Huber said he blamed himself for her death but denied striking her more than twice.
“Whatever happened, whatever reason she died, I will never forgive myself,” he said. However the judge called his account of the assault “palpably false” citing evidence that she was struck at least five times.
“The offender’s failure to take responsibility for the extent of the injuries inflicted is a failure to accept responsibility in a genuine way,” Justice Rothman said. Huber had a long criminal record, the court heard, dating back to 1988. He had breached an apprehended domestic violence order taken out to protect Ms Lucena and had given her a black eye on Boxing Day 2022.
Huber was sentenced to 12 years and nine months behind bars. The 69-year-old will be eligible for parole in October 2032.
Following the sentencing an inquest will now be possible into the death of Ms Lucena and the police response to her asssault.
For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk. If you or your family have lost a friend or family member through fatal domestic abuse, AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) can offer specialist and expert support and advocacy. For more info visit www.aafda.org.uk.