‘Wouldn’t hurt a fly’: Murder charge after man’s body found in Sprent, Tasmania

An alleged murder has rocked a sleepy Tasmanian town with friends saying the victim “wouldn’t hurt a fly”.

Police have charged a 25-year-old man with murder after a body was found in Sprent, in the northwest region of Tasmania.

Officers were given the green light to swoop on a home in East Devonport on Tuesday night and arrest a man over the 59-year-old’s alleged murder.

Police initially attended the Sprent property on Chilcotts Road on Sunday night following reports of a burning car.

They found the older man who had suffered serious head injuries and was already dead.

Police will also allege the man’s firearms safe had been broken into and guns were stolen.

Community members paid tribute to the man on social media, noting he was quiet and a hard worker.

“He was such a kind caring person – wouldn’t hurt a fly, absolutely devastated,” one person wrote.

Another said: “I will miss you so much mate and all the time we spent together – listening to music, it’s not going to be the same mate.”

Detective Inspector Steve Jones alleged the body belonged to a man who lived on the property in a caravan.

The younger man was charged with several offences including murder, aggravated burglary and unlawfully setting fire to property.

He will appear before Devonport Court on Thursday morning.

The police investigation is ongoing.