A father has been sentenced to prison after what a judge described as a "profoundly stupid" decision to store a loaded homemade gun in his sofa led to the death of his pregnant partner.
Tragic Discovery in Family Home
Adam Winmar was jailed for three months in Australia after the court heard how his four-year-old child discovered the concealed weapon in the family's Shepparton home in Victoria. The incident occurred on April 1, 2023, when the child found the hidden firearm and brought it to attention.
The situation escalated when Kiara Ferguson, 27, who was pregnant at the time, confronted Winmar about the weapon while he was in the toilet. According to Supreme Court Justice Michael Croucher, she asked her partner "what have I told you about this?" before the tragic accident unfolded.
Fatal Accident and Aftermath
The homemade 12-gauge spring pipe gun, which was loaded but had never been fired previously, discharged when Ms Ferguson dropped the weapon on the bathroom floor. The single shot struck the expectant mother-of-two just below her eye, causing fatal injuries.
Winmar immediately attempted to save his partner's life, calling emergency services and performing CPR. Despite his efforts, Ms Ferguson died in the bathroom where the accident occurred, leaving behind their children and unborn child.
Court Findings and Sentencing
Justice Croucher found that Winmar's choice to store the loaded firearm in the couch cushions created an unacceptable danger to both the children and Ms Ferguson. The judge emphasised that "any loaded gun is to be treated as potentially dangerous, especially so when young children might get their hands on it."
Winmar pleaded guilty to reckless conduct endangering life and possessing a firearm as a prohibited person. In addition to the three-month jail term, he received a 12-month community corrections order.
The court heard that Winmar had a history of methamphetamine and GHB abuse, continuing to use these drugs as recently as the week of his sentencing. He also had a substantial criminal record, including assault and choking offences that resulted in a separate four-month jail sentence earlier in the year.
Justice Croucher acknowledged that the experience of losing Ms Ferguson, combined with being separated from his children and experiencing "extreme guilt and devastation," had served as additional punishment. The judge expressed confidence that Winmar would never again keep a loaded gun on his premises.
