One-punch killer jailed for six years for attack on grandfather

A MAN who pleaded guilty to a fatal one-punch attack outside a Gold Coast pub was celebrating his 18th birthday the night he threw the punch which ultimately killed Trevor Duroux.

A NEW ZEALAND man has been jailed for six-and-a-half years for fatally punching a Gold Coast grandfather just days after arriving in Australia.

In his first week in the country, Tristan Mataora Heather went drinking with his aunt and uncle at the Coolangatta Hotel to celebrate his recent 18th birthday.

During the night he drank about 20 beers and left when the pub closed.

In the early hours of December 4, 2015 he punched a man and later turned on Trevor Duroux, who was in a scuffle with a workmate.

With a right hook he knocked Mr Duroux to the ground, causing him to smash his head on the road.

The beloved grandfather ended up in intensive care with serious head injuries.

“Tragic case”: The family of one-punch victim Trevor Duroux embrace outside the Supreme Court in Brisbane after Heather was sentenced to six and a half years jail over deadly attack. Picture: AAP/Dan Peled

Ten days later, his family decided to turn off his life support. Heather was on Thursday sentenced to six years and six months in jail by Brisbane Supreme Court Justice James Douglas who described it as a “tragic case”.

Statements from three of Mr Duroux’s children were read to the court, with all hoping justice would be served on their father’s killer.

His son, Trevor French, told the court about when he was told to travel to the Gold Coast as soon as possible.

Trevor Duroux and his daughter Yvonne French. Photo: Supplied.

“After losing my mother at a young age life was already difficult for me and my family,” he wrote.

“When I thought life couldn’t get any tougher I received a phone call no child should receive — ‘your father is in hospital as a result of an act of violence and there is a slim chance he will make it’.”

In sentencing the now-20-year-old, Justice Douglas found he was remorseful but said there was a strong need to deter others from alcohol-fuelled violence.

Under Queensland’s new one-punch laws, Heather won’t be eligible for parole until he serves 80 per cent of his head sentence.

It’s likely he will be deported when released from prison.

Tristan Heather’s partner leaves court after he was sentenced. Picture: AAP/Steve Pohlner

Originally published as One-punch killer jailed for six years for attack on grandfather