Indigenous man sentenced to life for pregnant wife's murder

A 29-year-old man has been sentenced to life with a minimum of 19 years for murdering his pregnant wife at a remote Aboriginal community near Laverton in Western Australia.

Arron Butler choked the 23-year-old woman to death and then burned her body.

She was eight months pregnant with his child.

Supreme Court Justice Narelle Johnson said she took into account Butler's tribal punishment in deciding not impose a harsher sentence.

The court was told Butler nearly died after being speared in both legs immediately after the murder.

Justice Johnson also said she took into consideration that prison would be difficult for Butler because he had lived all of his life in a traditional manner.