A WOMAN was beaten to death by a homeless man in a park in Australia after she treated him to dinner.
Courtney Herron, 25, was seen holding Henry Hammond's hand in the restaurant as they appeared to be deep in conversation.
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Courtney Herron was seen reaching across the table and holding Henry Hammond's hand Credit: A Current Affair 5
Courtney was also homeless at the time of her death and had been staying at friend's houses Credit: A Current Affair
CCTV captured the pair clinking glasses as they enjoyed a beer with their food in Vegie Bar in Brunswick, Australia.
Tragically, after they had dinner, Hammond killed Courtney as they walked through Melbourne's Royal Park, in Australia.
Hammond bludgeoned her to death with a tree branch and Courtney's head injuries were so bad that her dad, John, was not allowed to see her body.
He claimed to have been having a delusion that he knew her from a past life, in which Courtney killed his wife.
"Courtney's body was covered by a sheet and all I could do is touch her foot on the sheet," he told Nine News' A Current Affair.
"Her injuries were so severe that the mortician couldn't put her skull together again."
Courtney was also homeless at the time and was living on friend's sofas.
Police say she had mental health and drug issues at the time of her death.
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Hammond was found not guilty of her murder due to his mental health diganosis Credit: PA
Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper, who lead the investigation, previously said: "Courtney had experienced issues with drugs and mental health.
"And, as we are all aware, homelessness is often a factor that goes with those two challenges in life.
"As far as we’re aware, Courtney’s been couch surfing with friends and possibly rough sleeping as well.
"We do have a result from the post-mortem examination that revealed she died as a result of - a horrendous bashing - that’s the only way to describe it."
Hammond was found not guilty of murdering Courtney due to his diagnosis of schizophrenia and in-patient treatment at Thomas Embling Psychiatric Hospital where he now lives.
But Courtney's dad is terrified Hammond will get day-release privileges in the future and could harm more women.
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He told Daily Mail Australia: "Justice has been denied for Courtney.
"You've got a serial attacker of women who now gets his fourth chance to be let loose and he's learnt no lessons because he's always been bailed out of trouble and here's another example.
"I wouldn't be surprised if he's day-tripping in one to two years, if not sooner."
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He claimed to have been suffering from a delusion at the time of the attack Credit: PA 5
Courtney's dad, John, is now terrified that Hammond could attack more women if granted day-release Credit: PA