A man who killed a police officer while being served a repossession notice has been sentenced to 40 years’ jail.
Leigh Geoffrey Sushames, 47, was sentenced in the Supreme Court in Burnie, north-west Tasmania, on Friday over the fatal shooting of Constable Keith Smith, 57, on June 16, 2025.
Constable Smith attended Sushames’ property in North Motton to serve a repossession notice because he had not paid his mortgage for years.
At a hearing in May, the court heard Sushames had been in contact with authorities the day before and knew they were coming.
Footage from a body-worn camera worn by Constable Smith’s partner, Sergeant Gavin Rigby, showed Sushames hiding behind a blue Ford Falcon in the carport and holding a rifle.
‘How are you mate?’ Constable Smith asked, before two gunshots could be heard.
He died immediately and Sushames was taken into custody.
In court on Friday, Justice Tamara Jago described the killing as a ‘premeditated, intentional killing’ of an officer who ‘stood no chance against murderous intent’.
Leigh Sushames told a friend he would ‘kill anyone’ who attempted to repossess his home, a court heard
Constable Keith Smith (pictured) was shot in the back and head
‘The callousness you displayed … is almost beyond comprehension for any person with a decent sense of morality,’ the judge said.
‘It is the gravest of criminal conduct.’
More to come.
