Campaigners Demand Tougher Sentences For One-Punch Killers

Section 1: A Heartbreaking Loss

It was a devastating blow to Rachel and her family when her brother, Paul, tragically lost his life in 2020. He was the victim of an unprovoked attack on the street, a senseless act of violence that would change their lives forever. As they spent three agonizing days in the hospital, watching him slowly slip away, the weight of injustice hung heavy in the air.

Section 2: The Shocking Lack of Accountability

The perpetrator, Stephen Allen, who delivered the fatal blow, will likely serve little over a year for manslaughter. It's a sentence that fails to reflect the gravity of his actions and offers no solace to Rachel and her grieving family. They are left questioning how someone can rehabilitate in such a short period of time, especially considering the overstretched resources and lack of support within our prison system.

Section 3: Seeking Justice Through Advocacy

Maxine, another mother who knows the pain of losing a child to a one-punch attack, understands this sense of injustice all too well. After her son Christian's tragic death nine months after a similar assault in a nightclub, she founded a charity to fight for justice. In Australia, where Maxine resides, they have achieved significant progress with sentencing guidelines. Offenders now face up to 15 years for a one-punch assault and 25 years if it results in death.

Section 4: The Complexity of Justice

While some argue for harsher punishments as a deterrent, others caution against descending into an eye-for-an-eye mentality. Jacob, who served 14 months for manslaughter after killing a man with one punch over a decade ago, believes that seeking revenge only perpetuates darkness and prevents personal growth and redemption.

Edward Henry King's Council acknowledges that sentencing guidelines are imperfect, but argues that they do serve a purpose. Every life is inherently precious, and no sentence can truly reflect the value of a lost life. However, he suggests that it may be more beneficial to consider the remorse and recognition of one's mistakes when determining a sentence.

Section 5: A Family's Quest for Justice

For Rachel and her family, justice remains elusive. They continue to mourn the loss of not just one, but two brothers. Simon, devastated by grief after Paul's death, tragically followed in his footsteps months later. Now, they await