Cole Miller death: Armstrong Renata sentenced in Brisbane Supreme Court
THE man who killed Brisbane teen Cole Miller in a “gratuitous and cowardly” one-punch attack has been sentenced to seven years behind bars.
Crime & Justice
Don't miss out on the headlines from Crime & Justice. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE man who killed young water polo star Cole Miller in a random one-punch attack will spend seven years behind bars.
He must serve 80 per cent before applying for parole.
How police tracked down Cole’s attackers
Armstrong Renata, 23, is one of the first offenders to be sentenced for the charge of unlawful striking causing death, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Justice Bowskill: One moment of cowardly and violent conduct .. has stolen the life of a young man, destroyed his family. #ColeMiller
— Kate Kyriacou (@KateKyriacou) October 13, 2017
Cole died after his family made the heartbreaking decision to switch off his life support in early January, 2016.
The 18-year-old died on January 5, two days after he was attacked by Renata, and another man, Daniel Maxwell, while out with friends in Fortitude Valley.
Maxwell had tried to start three other fights while walking through the Valley before he and Renata came upon Cole and his friend Nicholas Pace.
Justice Bowskill says Daniel Maxwell called out to Cole and his friend Nicholas, asking them for a fight. #ColeMiller
— Kate Kyriacou (@KateKyriacou) October 13, 2017
Justice Bowskill says Cole and his friend tried to ignore them and backed away. #ColeMiller
— Kate Kyriacou (@KateKyriacou) October 13, 2017
Justice Bowskill says it is very hard to accept that Renata thought Cole Miller might try to hit Daniel Maxwell.
— Kate Kyriacou (@KateKyriacou) October 13, 2017
Maxwell had said, “Do you want to see something funny?” before approaching the pair and punching Cole in the chest.
Renata then punched Cole in the head, causing him to fall and hit his head. The court heard it was the blow to the head, and not hitting the ground, that killed Cole.
In an emotional hearing, family members on both sides cried as a tearful Steve Miller read aloud victim impact statements written by he and his wife about their loss.
In her victim impact statement, Cole’s mother Mary-Leigh said she struggled every day, overcome with grief, as she suffered through the constant expectation that she should “move on”.
“I could never have imagined that this would become my new normal,” she said.
In her statement, she said she wishes for death to be reunited with her son and often cries hysterically at the thought she might forget his smile.
“Bereavement has crippled my life,” she said.
Steve Miller, who cried throughout his readings of both statements, said his greatest fear was that his other children could no longer live normal lives.
“This nightmare continues. It will never end for me and my family,” he said.
A softly spoken Renata also addressed the court, apologising to the Millers and to Cole’s friend, Mr Pace, who had tried to resuscitate his mate in the Valley that night.
“I can’t imagine the pain and trauma I’ve brought on this family. I would give anything to be able to turn back time,” he told the court.
“From the bottom of my heart, I am truly sorry. We had no right to do what we did.”
Maxwell walked from court in August after being given an 18-month suspended sentence for his role in the attack.
He was originally charged with unlawful striking causing death but pleaded guilty to affray and common assault.
He has since been deported to New Zealand.
The first person to be sentenced under the new one-punch charge was Ariik Mayot, who was 19 when he punched and killed Goodna grandfather Lindsay Ede in 2015.
Despite the charge carrying a maximum of life, Mayot was sentenced to just under six years.
Mr Ede’s family said it was a “very sad day” following the sentencing hearing.
“I think my brother’s life was worth more than that,” Mr Ede’s brother, Terry Bishop, told media at the time.
‘You’ve lost two licences, and you’re only a learner’
A learner driver copped an earful from an Ipswich magistrate over his astonishing accumulation of demerit points.
‘Night beautiful’: Mum accused of attempted murder
A mum accused of trying to murder her four-year-old daughter - by 'gassing' her in a car - has been sentenced for breaching her bail conditions by spending time with the girl.