A woman who masterminded a drug robbery that led to the bashing death of a dealer has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.
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Rebecca Katherine Krutsky, 40, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting convicted killer Corey James Martin, 40, to rob Andre Le Dinh in May 2010.
Mr Le Dinh, 26, died of head injuries after Martin beat him during a drug robbery at the victim's Belconnen unit on May 10 that year.
Martin, also known as Budgie, went to Mr Le Dinh's unit, bashed him unconscious, stole drugs and money hidden throughout the apartment, and left him choking on his own blood.
A 21-year-old woman who told Krutsky of the victim’s activities and let Martin into the building received a two-year suspended jail sentence on Thursday.
Krutsky then masterminded the robbery by identifying Mr Le Dinh as a target to Martin and plotting how to rob him.
The ACT Supreme Court heard Krutsky had planned the offence during a series of phone calls to Martin while he was in jail.
Justice Richard Refshauge found Krutsky was significantly culpable for the robbery as she had encouraged the offence and benefited from the proceeds.
Krutsky read an emotional apology to Mr Le Dinh’s family in the court, outlining her regret and remorse.
She said she had also suffered the anguish of losing a child.
During the apology, she claimed she had targeted Mr Le Dinh to protect her daughter, who had become involved in drug trafficking through her association with the victim.
Justice Refshauge said the explanation meant the prime motivation behind the crime was not purely greed.
But it also meant Krutsky had identified herself as the main force behind the robbery.
The court also heard Krutsky was a reformed heroin addict who had 59 previous convictions, including 15 for drug offences and 28 for dishonesty.
Justice Refshauge sentenced her to two-years-and-six-months jail, backdated to take into account time spent in custody.
She will be eligible for parole in January 2015.