Beau Andrew John Smith, Kye Enright jailed for manslaughter of Paul Rock during botched drug deal

Two men have learnt their fate for unlawfully killing a man in a pub carpark west of Brisbane during a drug deal “gone awry”.

A man unlawfully killed during a drug deal gone awry died from fatal stab wounds inflicted with “significant” depth in less than a minute, a court has been told.

Beau Andrew John Smith and Kye Enright were on Thursday jailed for the manslaughter of Paul Rock, 53, in a pub carpark in July 2019.

The altercation lasted about 45 seconds and cost Mr Rock, from Oakey, near Toowoomba, his life.

But while Smith will need to spend at least five years in jail for his role in the violent altercation, Enright will be eligible for parole within a year.

The pair last month pleaded guilty to manslaughter and various other charges, including possessing dangerous drugs and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Kye Enright (left) and Beau Andrew John Smith have pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Oakey man Paul Rock in July 2019.

The court was previously told that Smith and Enright met Mr Rock at the Porters Plainland Hotel west of Brisbane on the evening of July 1, 2019.

The pair were acting as couriers for a drug dealer who was in touch with Mr Rock, who was getting angry at being “mucked around” while trying to obtain a significant quantity of the drug ice.

Smith purchased kitchen knives at an IGA store upon learning of Mr Rock’s temper.

Neither man knew that Mr Rock’s dealer had agreed to reduce the price for the drugs.

The three eventually met in the pub carpark, along with another woman, where they proceeded to take the drug fantasy.

The men also tested the methamphetamine.

Police and paramedics outside the Porters Plainland Hotel after the stabbing.

Paul Rock, 53, died from blood loss after being stabbed multiple times.

CCTV captured the moment Enright punched Mr Rock before a scuffle ensued between the three.

Solicitors for the pair submitted that before the fight, Mr Rock said “I’ll just have to take it” in reference to the drugs.

Smith intervened in the struggle, repeatedly stabbing Mr Rock in the arm, leg and thigh.

“The deceased appeared to be overpowering Mr Enright,” Justice Peter Flanagan said.

“The entire altercation lasted approximately 45 seconds.”

The pair fled as Mr Rock lay dying in the carpark from 16 stab wounds.

Justice Flanagan said the depth of the wounds were “significant”.

“You (Smith) unlawfully killed the deceased without any accompanying intention to cause either grievous bodily harm or to kill him,” Justice Flanagan said.

He said Enright was liable for manslaughter because he knew the knives had been purchased and it was a “probable consequence” they would be used.

“Both (Smith) and Enright accept the force used in defence of Enright was excessive in the circumstances,” Justice Flanagan said.

The court was told that Smith had a “prejudicial” upbringing marred by violence and began living on the streets as a teenager.

Smith had expressed “deep regret and remorse” for his actions, according to a psychologist.

Enright’s legal team submitted their client had started using drugs from an early age, with his methamphetamine use escalating into an addiction.

Smith and Enright ultimately received jail terms of nine and eight years respectively for the charge of manslaughter.

Smith will be eligible for parole in May 2027 after Justice Flanagan made a serious violent offender declaration.

Enright’s parole eligibility was set for July next year.

Both men received lesser concurrent and cumulative sentences for their other charges.

Originally published as Beau Andrew John Smith, Kye Enright jailed for manslaughter of Paul Rock during botched drug deal