Kye Aylward sentenced for accessory after the fact after son Rayne William Aylward murdered Casino teen Ned Gronow
A northern NSW dad covered for his 18-year-old son when questioned by police about the murder of 17-year-old Ned Gronow. Now, the father has walked from court, enraging Ned’s loved ones.
Lismore
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lismore. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A northern NSW dad covered for his murderer son, withholding information from police, after the 18-year-old viciously stabbed a 17-year-old boy to death while he slept at home.
Father Kye Douglas Aylward has walked free from Lismore District Court after spending about six months behind bars – sparking outrage from slain 17-year-old Ned Gronow’s loved ones.
“Your real justice is coming Kye … “F--k you Kye,” someone yelled in court on Wednesday.
The 49-year-old man concealed information from police soon after the brutal stabbing of Ned by Rayne William Aylward, then 18, on June 25, 2022.
Kye Aylward was sentenced on Wednesday to 13 months in prison with a non-parole period of six months after pleading guilty to accessory after the fact to the murder.
He walked because he had already served time on remand before release on bail in May 2023.
The father covered for his son out of panic and disbelief – without thinking of the consequences – and “out of instinctive protection”, a psychologist report states.
In late July, Rayne Aylward, 21, was sentenced to 18 years jail with a 12-year non-parole period in the NSW Supreme Court at Lismore.
His sentence was backdated to June 26, 2022, due to time served, and expires June 25, 2040, meaning he will be eligible for parole on June 25, 2034.
Kye Aylward originally flagged a fight against his charge, but pleaded guilty in February.
Defence barrister Megan Cusack told the court: “What’s he meant to do? It’s his son.”
“In terms of alibi – there is no alibi,” she argued.
Ms Cusack told Judge Jonathan Priestley the father did “virtually nil” to delay investigations after police arrested his son at his Casino home the day after the murder.
Rayne Aylward and Ned had been friends, but a girl – who cannot legally be identified – claimed to the older boy that Ned assaulted her – charges were never filed, the court heard.
Crown prosecutor Brendan Campbell said Kye Aylward told police his son was at home with him, which was “unquestionably” an alibi, and that he spoke of a “completely normal day”.
The dad provided “substantial” help to the killer and hampered officers, he argued.
Kye Aylward did not know the circumstances or means of the murder, the court heard.
Ms Cusack said the dad gave the impression his son was at home when he was not because he was dealing with the shock of hearing of his son’s horrendous actions, and never-proven assault by Ned.
“ … he acted in a way someone emotionally attached with someone is expected to act, she said.
Mr Campbell said the defendant withheld details, “diverting attention from his son”.
A psychologist diagnosed Kye Aylward with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and severe depression.
The single dad-of-three lost his job when he was locked up as the case was pending and could not communicate with family, Ms Cusack told the court.
Ultimately, Judge Priestley said: “It is true he (Kye Aylward) did not provide an alibi, but the statement he made conveys the impression on the evening of June 24 and morning of June 25 was a normal morning – which was far, far from the truth.”
He said the father lied to police about being asleep between 12.35am and 2am – when the murder happened.
“He falsely said he knew nothing of the murder when he was well aware of it,” Judge Priestley said.
“He was overwhelmed and chose to protect his son, albeit the wrong thing to do.”
Judge Priestley said giving the killer a “refuge” had to have been “intensely emotional”.
The murder had a “significant impact” on the dad’s mental health, the judge said, adding that offending was “out of character in a time of crisis”.
Got a news tip? email catherine.piltz@news.com.au
‘Nervous and anxious’: Contenders clash in eight-run thriller
There were batting collapses, dropped catches and a thrilling finish in a crucial top-four shootout in the LJ Hooker League.
School evacuated after ‘bomb’ threat
An elite school on the Qld-NSW border has been evacuated after a “bomb” threat, causing panicked parents to slam the incident as “not funny, not clever – and not entertainment”.