Vic couple jailed over pizza shop killing

A Melbourne man who fled Afghanistan as a child was successfully supporting his extended family and about to become engaged when he was murdered by one of his employees.

Faisal Zazai, 31, had much to live for when he was assaulted by a married couple who worked for him, and then strangled by the husband, a judge has said.

In sentencing the pair, Victorian Supreme Court Justice Karin Emerton said they had deprived a young man of the opportunity to make his life, and the joy of marrying and raising a family.

"Many lives have been irreparably damaged by your conduct," Justice Emerton said on Thursday.

Mr Zazai had gone to the home of Kritsingh Dookheea, 36, and his wife Kamna Ramjutton, then 25, to collect the takings from one of his stores on the night of May 9, 2013.

The earnings, from a store managed by Ramjutton, had earlier been gambled away by the couple at Crown Casino.

When Mr Zazai arrived at the Tarneit house, there was a violent altercation, and when he tried to flee he was strangled by Dookheea.

Dookheea initially told police Mr Zazai had come to the home believing Ramjutton was alone, and attempted to sexually assault her.

However he later admitted to planning to assault and rob Mr Zazai, saying he wanted to "teach him a lesson".

Justice Emerton said the couples' finances were a mess and they were facing eviction from their home.

Dookheea had a problem with gambling and had a lot of debt.

"The world was closing in on you," Justice Emerton said.

She said the plan to rob or threaten Mr Zazai was utterly perplexing, and the result of desperate and confused thinking.

Dookheea was jailed for 19 years after being convicted of murder.

Ramjutton was jailed for eight years and six months after being convicted of manslaughter for her role in the death.

Dookheea and Ramjutton were stony faced as they sat in the dock during their sentencing.