Accused killer allegedly claimed ex-girlfriend’s disability payments as her body decomposed in bathtub

The body of Sarah Gatt, 39, was found covered by “junk” in the tub of her Kensington home in January 2018.

Her ex-boyfriend, Andrew Baker, 55, is headed to trial this week and denies murdering the mother-of-two.

Mr. Baker continued to receive Ms. Gatt’s disability support pension and carers allowance from Centrelink, allegedly making “regular and ongoing withdrawals” of the money.

On Tuesday, crown prosecutor John Dickie told the jury Baker was “controlling and possessive” over Ms. Gatt.

Their on-again-off-again relationship, which went on for about two and a half years, was “intense, turbulent and, at times, violent”, he said.

“Sarah Gatt was a woman who really fell on hard times, her life … perhaps might not have gone to plan,” he said.

He said she was struggling with mental health and drug issues, had children outside her care, and was on a disability support pension.