Man sentenced to 28 years after drug-fuelled murder

A man who shot dead one man and kidnapped two others in a drug-fuelled rampage has been sentenced to 28 years in jail.

Christopher Hillman, 46, pleaded guilty to the murder of Jake Williams who he shot in the neck after an argument.

The pair had been at a house in Frankston in Melbourne's southeast on September 18, 2021, often used as a "drop-in" for drug use.

Victorian Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Hollingworth on Friday ordered Hillman spend 28 years in prison with a non-parole period of 23 years.

This included 23 years for murder, 18 months for firearm offences, six months for assault and five years for each kidnap.

The two men were in a bedroom with others smoking meth when an argument broke out over comments Mr Williams made about another friend.

The row escalated and the other occupants left the room when Hillman grabbed a shotgun, pointed the barrel at Mr Williams' legs and threatened to shoot.

As Mr Williams turned his back to exit the room, Hillman fired the gun and hit him in the neck, killing him.

Justice Hollingworth said the killing was part of a "brief, spontaneous, drug-fuelled altercation".

"I accept that Mr Williams' comments may have been offensive to you, but they did not justify you resorting to violence, let alone lethal violence," she said.

The judge said while Hillman had apologised to his kidnapping victims, even during the act, he had expressed little remorse for killing Mr Williams. 

After the murder, Hillman left the house with one person recounting how he had blood on his face and was apologising for shooting the victim.

Police found Mr Williams' body in a pool of blood during a welfare check, sparking a manhunt for the killer.

Justice Hollingworth said Hillman had been made paranoid by his long history with police, including being assaulted by officers as a teenager.

"You have also experienced brief psychotic episodes, which have become more extended when you were using drugs," she said. 

"You believe your fear of police is well founded.

"You often feel like members of the general public are staring at you, conspiring with police or making fun of you."

Hillman had entered additional guilty pleas to two charges of kidnapping, one charge of assault and possessing a firearm.

He was on the run from police following the shooting and had been deemed dangerous.

He threatened a man who was at the house on the night, holding a gun to him as he demanded he drive him to another home.

Six days after the murder, high on ice and in a state of paranoia, Hillman kidnapped two innocent people in Frankston, held them at gunpoint and demanded to be driven to Seaford.

The male kidnapping victim no longer feels safe living at home and is constantly anxious.

Hillman was eventually captured after calling police from the home of an ex-partner where he admitted shooting Mr Williams.

Officers found him unconscious in the roof space of the home after he had consumed drugs.

Justice Hollingworth said the sentences would run partially concurrent and result in a 28-year total.

This would include the almost three years Hillman has already served.

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store