The man who drove the getaway car during the alleged murder of Canberra man Eden Waugh has been sentenced to 12 years' jail.
Phouthakone Sikounnabouth, 23, pleaded guilty in the ACT Supreme Court to his role in Mr Waugh's death, as well as his part in a home invasion at Mr Waugh's property three months earlier.
Mr Waugh died when he was shot through the door of his Watson apartment, as he tried to barricade the entrance.
Case revealed a 'pernicious world of drug dealing'
It took weeks to uncover the details of the killing, which occurred in early November 2016.
In the wake of the Mr Waugh's death, investigators conducted a search of the Queanbeyan River to find the gun used in the shooting.
Two men were charged over the killing and await trial.
Prosecutor Anthony Williamson told the court the pair had wanted to silence Mr Waugh over the first home invasion after learning they were to be charged.
He said the first incident had been sparked by a drug deal dispute.
Mr Williamson gave a chilling account of the incident, detailing how one of the men counted down before shooting through the door, and both men walked over Mr Waugh's body to get into the home.
He acknowledged Sikounnabouth's role was lesser.
"He knew there was to be a home invasion and a robbery," Mr Williamson said.
But Mr Williamson said Sikounnabouth was not aware anyone had been killed until later.
He said the first home invasion — when Sikounnabouth went to the home with two others, armed with a metal baseball bat — was his more serious offence.
"It was premeditated … it involved the infliction of harm," he said.
The two others involved were armed with a machete and a gun, the court heard.
At the sentencing, Justice Michael Elkaim noted the world of crime that formed the backdrop of the case.
"This involved the pernicious world of drug dealing," he said.
"The co-offenders were intent on silencing Mr Waugh.
"Mr Waugh was callously shot with a shotgun through a door."
'He did not deserve to die'
Justice Elkaim also warned Sikounnabouth about his own drug use.
"Unless he attends to his behaviour his future is doomed," he told the court.
Sikounnabouth received the highest portion of his sentence for his role in the first home invasion.
In total he was sentenced to 12 years' jail but will be eligible for parole in 2026.
Earlier, Mr Waugh's parents became emotional as they read victim impact statements, describing what a kind person their son was.
"I realise Eden was not without faults, but he did not deserve to die, especially in such a violent, cold-hearted and cowardly manner," his father Alexander Waugh said.
His mother Elaine Waugh said she had shared a special bond with her son.
"I'm glad we ended our phone conversations with 'I love you'," she said.
Both said they hoped Sikounnabouth had thought long and hard about the choices he had made the night their son was killed.
