Guilty ... Corey James Martin murdered Andre Le Dinh in his Belconnen unit in May 2010.
A Canberra man who bashed to death a Belconnen drug dealer has been sentenced to 22 years jail.
Corey James Martin, 39, was sentenced by Acting Justice John Nield on Wednesday for the murder of Andre Le Dinh in May 2010.
Mr Le Dinh, 26, died of head injuries after Martin beat him during a drug robbery at the deceased's Belconnen unit on May 10.
Victim Andre Le Dinh. Photo: Supplied
The jurors heard Martin bashed the diminutive victim - who weighed only 48 kilograms and stood 165 centimetres tall - in a planned robbery, leaving him with fatal injuries, including skull fractures.
Martin, also known as Budgie, briefly went to his daughter-in-law's apartment across the hall from Mr Le Dinh's unit before knocking on the victim's door.
Martin then bashed Mr Le Dinh unconscious, stole drugs and money hidden in the laundry, and left him choking on his own blood.
Neighbours reported hearing a sound likened to a bowling being dropped on the floor around the time of the incident.
Martin - who weighs 110 kilograms and is 189 centimetres tall - pleaded not guilty, claiming the pair got into a fight after the smaller man became aggressive.
He said Mr Le Dihn was standing and conscious when he left the unit.
But a jury found him guilty of murder in May this year.
In handing down sentence on Wednesday, Acting Justice John Nield described the attack as vicious, callous, and brutal.
"This was a premeditated, vicious attack of extreme violence on the victim in his own home," Justice Nield said.
But he said it was not the worst type of murder.
Justice Neild jailed Martin for 22-and-a-half years, backdated to take into account time spent in custody, with a non-parole period of 17 years and six months.
Martin will be eligible for release in 2029.
Family members of Mr Le Dinh cheered and clapped as the judge handed down the sentence.
More to come...
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