Andrew Della Franca admits providing his father the gun used to allegedly kill Pemberton man Tony Ditri

The son of a farmer accused of killing beloved Pemberton handyman Tony Ditri has admitted he illegally provided his father with the gun police say was used in the murder that shocked the South West town last year. Andrew John Della Franca, 39, on Thursday pleaded guilty to giving his father, John Gerard Benny Della Franca, the 12-gauge shotgun, which was allegedly used to shoot and kill Mr Ditri in August last year. The gun was found during a police search of the father’s Pemberton home on August 29, two days after the victim had last been seen at a tip bordering the same property. Police uncovered the shotgun in a locked cabinet alongside two other weapons, both legally owned by his father. Mr Ditri’s remains were found in a paddock in September, weeks after Mr Della Franca was arrested and charged with his murder. The 40-year-old’s death sent shockwaves through Pemberton, with about 1000 people packing out a funeral held in the town, where the father-of three was remembered as a true gentleman, family man and pillar of the community. Appearing in Manjimup Magistrates Court on Thursday, Della Franca pleaded guilty to permitting possession of a firearm to person without a licence and sat emotionless as his lawyer, Tom Percy, said he had “genuine remorse” about the incident but fully understood it was “the firearm used to kill a man.” Mr Percy said the man “did permit his father to have the shotgun” but never expected the weapon to be used in the alleged murder. The court heard Della Franca, who lives in Leschenault with his wife and two children, had owned the shotgun for four years to exterminate vermin and euthanise farm animals and had held a valid firearms licence for the past 21 years. Mr Percy said his client never verbally gave his father consent to use the weapon, but accepted he had provided a shotgun to a person who legally could not possess it. Magistrate Belinda Coleman told Della Franca it was clear he had not knowingly given his father the weapon for “nefarious” reasons and noted his remorse, but said it was an extremely serious crime. “Owning a firearm is a grave responsibility,” she said. “And you are a man of otherwise good character.” Della Franca was fined $800 for the charge and granted a spent conviction to help with future employment opportunities and travel. He was seen embracing his family in the courtroom after being stood down. His father, who is still in custody, will next appear in Perth Supreme Court for his murder charge on March 30. He is yet to enter a plea. During an appearance in Manjimup Magistrates Court in November, the 64-year-old had his charges upgraded to include discharging a firearm causing fear and possession of a weapon without holding a licence.