The murderer of a "loving father of two baby girls" has been convicted by a unanimous jury on Friday, September 20. Reece Newcombe, 31, was stabbed in the neck on a night out in Richmond in 2022 by Ross Hamilton, 34, with a piece of broken glass he concealed before they had a fight. His family released an emotional statement after the conviction saying that they are "completely heartbroken" two years on from Reece's death and denouncing "the murderous moronic actions of Ross Hamilton".
In the early hours of November 26, 2022, Hamilton was in an aggressive and agitated state outside Viva nightclub on Ormond Road, near Richmond Bridge. It was the night of the World Cup game between England and the USA and before the fateful stabbing Hamilton had assaulted another man outside the club, as well as acting aggressively and unpredictably to several other people throughout the night. READ MORE: Man in critical condition after being stabbed on residential street Hamilton remained outside the club for 30 minutes after he assaulted the man, aggressively taunting security staff and others waiting for taxis.
Reece decided to intervene after seeing his aggressive behaviour and the two got into a fight. The struggle did not last long because Hamilton used a piece of broken glass and stabbed Reece in the neck before fleeing the scene in a vehicle. Onlookers rushed to Reece's aid.
An off-duty police officer who was passing by followed Hamilton and was able to describe the vehicle and the dire.