Jaylen Denny Dimer: WA Government set to use special legislation to keep Giuseppe Raco’s killer behind bars

Premier Mark McGowan says the State Government will try to use special legislation for high risk offenders to keep the man who killed Giuseppe Raco behind bars longer after an attempt to have his sentence increased was dismissed. The WA Court of Appeal rejected the Director of Public Prosecutions’ argument that the seven-and-a-half year jail term handed down to Jaylen Denny Dimer was too low saying based on all the factors surrounding the case the sentence was not unreasonable or unjust. The decision prompted anger and frustration from Mr Raco’s family who say they feel completely let down by the “broken” justice system which will allow Dimer to potentially walk free in just over three years. Mr McGowan hit out at the decision saying not only was it “bitterly disappointing” but was “hard to stomach”. He said his heart went out to Mr Raco’s widow, Enza, and the wider Raco family and in response had instructed Attorney-General John Quigley to ensure “every effort” was made to ensure that the High Risk Offenders legislation was used “to its fullest extent, to ensure every effort is made to keep this criminal behind bars beyond his sentence”. It is also understood that the Attorney-General will meet with the Raco family to discuss what steps – if any – can be taken in the future. Dimer was handed a seven-and-a-half year jail term for the July 2020 one-punch attack that claimed the life of Mr Raco. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter in April last year and because of that was afforded a 25 per cent discount on his sentence. He was also made eligible for parole — meaning he could only serve 5.5 years. With time already served — he has been in custody since his arrest — he could be free in January 2026. Following sentencing, the DPP launched an appeal arguing the jail term was too low. But that appeal was dismissed today. Mrs Raco also launched the Coward’s Collar campaign which called for those delivering a fatal blow to be banned from entertainment precincts and licensed premises for five years. The “Protected Entertainment Precincts” or “PEP” bill was introduced into Parliament last month with hopes it will be in place by the end of this year. Debate surrounding the legislation is expected to begin in Parliament next week. “My heart goes out to Enza and the Raco family,” the Premier said on Friday. “The judgment handed down today is bitterly disappointing. “Every Western Australian deserves to be able to come home to their family from work or a night out in an entertainment precinct. “The Court’s decision to reject the State’s appeal is hard to stomach. “My Government passed legislation in 2020 to establish a mechanism to keep Western Australia’s most violent criminals behind bars beyond their sentence. “This afternoon I have instructed the Attorney General to ensure that the High Risk Offenders legislation is used to its fullest extent, to ensure every effort is made to keep this criminal behind bars beyond his sentence”.