An elderly businessman accused of trying to hire a hitman to kill his estranged daughter-in-law told police he had paid $2000 "to put to sleep someone who's been a pain the arse".
Brian Vincent Attwell, 73, has been on trial in the Albany Courthouse on the state's southern coast for the past two days, charged with the rare offence of attempting to procure the commission of a crime.
On Tuesday, a video of Attwell's police interview was played in court, with the AD Contractors managing director telling detectives he had handed a man he met once at a beach car park a down payment of $2000 to put Michelle Patreena Attwell "to sleep".
The court heard from state prosecutor James MacTaggart on Monday that the sum was $3000 and paid in two instalments over two meetings.
In the video, Attwell referred to a legal dispute with his alleged target, saying it had "pissed me right off".
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"I'm too old but 10 years ago, I would have gone down f***ing looking for her," Attwell told police.
Asked what instructions he had given to the man he met at the beach - who, unbeknown to him, was an undercover police officer - Attwell said: "I asked him to make some inquiries so we can get rid of this bloody animal."
Pressed further, the accused was asked if he had requested the man kill Ms Attwell, who he had described as "a nuisance to society", a "maggot" and someone 40 people in the town wanted to see "put to sleep".
"I wouldn't say kill Michelle but bring her to her bloody senses. Killing her would be a bit rich."
Attwell was also asked if he believed killing someone was wrong.
"I was brought up that way," he said.
"It's the fifth commandment, isn't it? I would say it would be very wrong."
Mr MacTaggart argued that Attwell wanted his estranged daughter-in-law strangled, then buried in a 30-foot-deep hole dug by an excavator, with the hitman to be paid $30,000 in total.
But defence lawyer Tom Percy said his client had at no stage actually committed to causing her physical harm.
Attwell elected to give evidence on Wednesday and is expected to call witnesses.
The trial continues.
