A Geelong man has been jailed for eight years over a fatal once-punch attack on a 22-year old man in Melbourne’s CBD.
ABC reports that Richard Vinec, who pleaded guilty to the charge of manslaughter of Jaiden Walker outside Cherry Bar in May, will be able to apply for parole five years into his sentence.
Supreme Court Justice Peter Riordan accepted Vincec was remorseful for his actions but said he was ultimately still culpable for what he did that night. The court also heard that Vincec had been “let off the leash” by his partner on the evening in question and was under the influence of alcohol, cocaine and speed.
“Your culpability is aggravated by the fact that after your violent act, you responded not by stopping to help your victim, but by fleeing the scene,” said Justice Riordan.
Both men had reportedly been visiting several different venues, before Vincec was seen on CCTV outside Cherry Bar kissing a woman who had previously been in a relationship with Walker.
The court heard that an altercation between the two men became “hostile” when Vincec tried unsuccessfully to shake Walker’s hand.
Walker then agreed, shaking his hand but squeezed it in the process. Vincec then struck Walker in the left cheek, causing him to fall and hit his head on the ground.
“It was probably where I thought the sentencing would go, so it’s unfortunate his family has now lost their dad for a period of time, a long period of time,” said Walker’s father Jon. “One person made a really bad decision that’s ruined two families, impacted so many others.”
