A man who killed a Sydney teenager in an unprovoked attack outside a nightclub has been granted parole and is set to be released from prison.
The now-30-year-old Kieran Loveridge killed Thomas Kelly, 18, during an alcohol-fuelled rampage through the inner-city entertainment precinct of Kings Cross in July 2012.
Loveridge, who was also 18 at the time, punched Kelly in the face, knocking him to the ground and causing a severe brain injury when his head struck the ground.
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Loveridge was initially jailed for seven years and two months after pleading guilty to manslaughter and the assaults of four other men on that same night.
But the prosecution appealed and his sentence was increased to a maximum term of 13 years and eight months with a non-parole period of 10 years and two months.
Over a decade later, the NSW State Parole Authority held a public hearing on Thursday for further submissions after the board in February formed its intention to release Loveridge.
He was granted supervised parole no later than April 25.
Parole authority chair Geoffrey Bellew acknowledged there would always be some risk to community safety with the 30-year-old’s release, but that was mitigated by several factors.
Bellew said the evidence available generally supports that positive progress has been made by the offender in custody.
Kelly’s parents also appeared in court via audio visual link to make further submissions.
“We are of the opinion that every effort should be made to ensure that (the offender) undertakes a period of supervision well before the expiration of his sentence in an attempt to successfully re-integrate him into lawful community life,” they told the court.
“It is our view that for Thomas’ death to mean something, it is imperative that every effort is made to ensure that a pathway is created to ensure Mr Loveridge’s transition to community life is as smooth as possible.”
Kelly’s death, among a string of other cases, led to controversial lockout laws trying to curb street violence in Sydney.
Laws were introduced in 2014 forcing inner-city bars to close their doors to new entries at 1.30am and cut all alcohol service by 3am.
The rules proved controversial, with a wave of concern from Sydney punters and the hospitality and events industries that any reduction in violence would come at the cost of the city’s nightlife.
– With AAP
