Alex de Vos
Two thugs who bashed a Corio teenager to death should have received maximum murder sentences rather than the prospect of leaving jail while still young men, according to a peak lobby group for crime victims.
Crime Victims Support Association president Noel McNamara said was he was “disappointed” with the sentences that Supreme Court Justice Betty King handed down in Melbourne Supreme Court on Tuesday.
Mr McNamara said Corio’s Joel Hargreaves and Glen McIntosh were lucky to have gotten away with the “merciful” sentence.
Ms King jailed childhood friends Hargreaves, 22 and McIntosh, 23, for the murder of teenager Damien Everett outside Corio South Primary School in February last year.
Hargreaves stabbed 18-year-old Mr Everett three times in the back in an unprovoked attack as he rode home after buying a soft drink at a nearby service station.
McIntosh used a torch during the attack to hit Mr Everett’s head seven times, shattering his skull.
Ms King sentenced Hargreaves to 20 years in prison with a minimum of 16 after he pleaded guilty to murder.
She gave McIntosh 23 years with a minimum of 19 after he pleaded not guilty.
The sentences mean Hargreaves could leave jail at the age of 38, while McIntosh could taste freedom at 42.
Mr McNamara labelled the sentences “pretty bad”.
“The fact that the guy was a harmless fellow and unknown to the men is terrible – he just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Mr McNamara said.
“We reckon they should have received the maximum sentence of 30 years.
“It could have been you or me or anyone so they should cop the full force of the law.”
Mr McNamara said the group would lodge an appeal with Department of Public Prosecutions.
“It’s what we call a merciful sentence and we’ll send a letter off to the director of public prosecutions,” he said.