The heartbroken mother of Hannah Clarke has given shocking insights into her murderous son-in-law, telling an inquest he was “all for show” had no empathy and would use his children as punishment.
Two years after her beloved daughter and grandchildren were murdered by her then son-in-law Rowan Baxter, Sue Clarke revealed her disturbing interactions with the man while he was married to Hannah.
Baxter murdered Hannah and their children Aaliyah, 6, Laianah, 4, and Trey, 3, as the family drove to school on February 19, 2020.
Armed with a knife and jerry can of fuel, he doused the car in petrol and set it alight.
Sue Clarke on Wednesday told the court that she didn’t initially like Baxter but warmed up to him.
After Laianah was born, his behaviour turned nasty.
“He would call me names, he would tell me there’s no reason for me to be at the gym,” Ms Clarke told thexjmtzyw court.
Ms Clarke recalled an incident when Rowan was supporting her in the gym but dropped her, seriously injuring her face.
She said Rowan then “laughed” at her.
“He told me to harden up, things like that happen all the time when you play football,” Ms Clarke said.
The court was told that Baxter would punish Ms Clarke by refusing to let her see the children if Hannah “misbehaved”.
Hannah was not allowed to wear shorts or the colour pink.
Ms Clarke said Baxter would berate Hannah as “fat and lazy” in front of the children and at times criticised paying female members of the gym as “pigs”.
Baxter would appear to act as a generous person “all for show” – shouting beers, coffee and lunches for his mates while spending the family’s money.
“I could never say what I thought (to him),” Ms Clarke said.
“He certainly didn’t care for the children at all … never changed nappies, dress the children, get them breakfast, pack lunches or anything like that. It was all for show.”
Ms Clarke said she was only aware that Baxter left a recording device in her Camp Hill home until witnesses gave evidence on Monday.
The court was told that Baxter “abducted” Laianah on Boxing Day, taking her to northern NSW.
During this time, Ms Clarke said Baxter demanded that Hannah run his gym class in his absence, but she refused.
Hannah told members on social media that she wanted nothing more to do with the gym, prompting Baxter to call and abuse her and shut down the whole business.
When Laianah was returned, Ms Clarke said she looked “traumatised”.
“Aaliyah was angry, the whole time … in her little mind, he’d been begging (Rowan) to put her down,” she said.
Ms Clarke gave heartwarming tributes to each of her grandchildren – “articulate and bright” Aaliyah, “little middle and little dynamo” Laianah and “sporty” Trey.
The inquest continues.
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