The family of a man killed by former fugitives Gino and Mark Stocco have broken down in court while describing the impact of the murder.

They were eventually arrested at a property near Dunedoo in central western New South Wales where police found the body of 68-year-old Rosario Cimone.

The Stoccos have pleaded guilty to several offences, including murder and property damage, and are now awaiting sentencing in March.

At a sentencing hearing the court was told Mr Cimone had been shot and his body left under bushes.

The court also heard the property was being used to grow cannabis at the time.

Mr Cimone’s three adult children told the Supreme Court they were plagued with questions about the death of their father, whose body was badly decomposed and had been attacked by wild animals by the time it was discovered.

‘They’ve shown no remorse’

They described the Stoccos’ actions as “cruel and callous” and said they wanted them to understand the devastation they had caused.

Mr Cimone’s daughter Maria Perre read a statement on behalf of the children.

“They’ve shown no remorse, as if their actions mean nothing to them,” she said.

“We hope that the horror of what they’ve done and the pain they’ve inflicted will stay with them. The irony is, they still have each other.”

State of murder victim Rosario Cimone's body such that family told not to open body bag. No traditional funeral. (Italian family). #Stoccos

— James Elton (@JamesEltonPym) January 26, 2017

“The state of his body was so extremely decomposed we were unable to identify him … it meant we never had the opportunity to say goodbye.”

She described their father as a “gentle giant who’d do anything for anyone”.

He was “kind, harmless, generous, courageous” and a wonderful grandfather, she said.

Ms Perre said the family believed they would “never recover” from the loss they had suffered.

– ABC