Fatal one punch: Harley James Raithby Hoodless, Michael Trevor Royce Collins sentenced for Shannon Finemore death

Two men have been jailed after they let their “egos” get in the way of reason before a man was fatally king hit, a court has been told.

Two men have been jailed after they let their “egos” get in the way of reason before a man was fatally king hit on Melbourne Cup Day, a court has been told.

Harley James Raithby Hoodless, 32, and Michael Trevor Royce Collins, 31, were sentenced in Brisbane’s Supreme Court on Thursday on one count each of unlawful striking causing the death of Shannon Finemore.

Hoodless and Collins were “severely intoxicated” in a Fortitude Valley unit when the latter got into an verbal argument while standing on the balcony with Mr Finemore, 37, and his friend Scott McGillivrey, who were walking past on November 3, 2020.

Shannon Finemore was killed amid Melbourne Cup Day celebrations at Fortitude Valley in 2020.

The court was told Collins had thought the pair were mocking him about overhearing an argument he was having with his then-girlfriend on the balcony.

Collins decided to go downstairs and follow the two men after they had kept on walking.

Hoodless followed Collins, who had armed himself with a crowbar, to confront the two friends on the street.

Justice Melanie Hindman said while she found Collins was the instigator of the fatal confrontation, it was Hoodless’s one punch that resulted in Mr Finemore being struck to the ground.

Mr Finemore had immediately fallen unconscious after hitting the ground and died in hospital days later on November 9.

Collins, who did not strike anyone during the incident, was found guilty by a jury at trial earlier this year.

“It was (Collins’) ego that had been bruised, that he’d perceived a slight on him,” Justice Hindman said during her sentencing remarks on Thursday.

“Hoodless was along for the ride with his mate.

“It was a very serious matter to arm himself in that way (with the crowbar) with a common purpose between the two (men).

“It set the tone for the serious assault that was to occur.”

Michael Trevor Royce Collins was sentenced to six years jail at the Brisbane Supreme Court on Thursday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Justice Hindman said she accepted Collins had “some rational thought” during the fight and started to become ”less of a threat” towards the Mr Finemore and his friend.

“Collins made some attempts to de-escalate Hoodless,” Justice Hindman said.

“But Hoodless rushed Mr Finemore and king hit him in the head unexpectedly.”

The court was told Mr Finemore did not see the hit coming and made no attempts to get out of the way of the fatal punch.

Justice Hindman said the punch was “completely excessive and unjustified” as Mr Finemore and his friend were ”unarmed and posed no threat”.

The court was told Hoodless ran from the scene while Collins tried to help Mr Finemore before he also ran away to get rid of the crowbar - which he gave to Hoodless who threw it in the garden.

Hoodless was sentenced to nine years in jail, while Collins was given a sentence of six years.

Justice Hindman said she took into account both mens’ pre-sentence custody as time served, with Hoodless having spent 1101 days in custody and Collins 717 days.

Shannon Finemore died days later after being king hit in 2020.

Justice Hindman said she hoped the two men would learn “aggression and violence is never an acceptable outcome”.

“Mr Finemore might not have seen the blow coming and perhaps he did not suffer but his final moments must have been scary for him, being threatened and chased by a pair of men, one of whom was armed,” she said.

Justice Hindman said Mr Finemore‘s death was the direct result of “ego measuring” when Collins and Hoodless decided to leave their unit.

“Any sensible person would never have left the balcony – whatever had been said by them, however taunting, however mocking, however daring.

“Any altercation should have stopped at words.”

Mr Finemore‘s life has been lost. Your actions have deprived a mother of a beloved son, a sister of her brother, a niece to be of her uncle and music loving friends of one of them one.

“It is a tragedy that could have so been easily avoided by staying on the balcony.”

Selina Finemore said her son was beloved by everyone who knew him. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Outside of court, Mr Finemore’s mother, Selina Finemore, said her son was a “happy larrikin” who would be sorely missed by friends and family.

“One punch does kill”,” Ms Finemore said.

“(The sentence) could be a bit more but we’re happy with the sentence.

“It won’t bring him back

“He’s never been a fighter in his entire life.

I don’t have a son anymore, I don’t have anyone to go see.“

Ms Finemore said her son was able to donate his organs after his death, which “saved three lives”.

Collins and Hindman will have to serve 80 per cent of the sentence, according to Queensland legislation.

Originally published as Fatal one punch: Harley James Raithby Hoodless, Michael Trevor Royce Collins sentenced for Shannon Finemore death