Bryson Larsen-Tai, Tyrese Hickling sentenced for involvement in fight that killed Jesse Vilkelis-Curas
Two men will face jail time for their roles in the attack that killed Lismore man Jesse Vilkelis-Curas. Here’s what his heartbroken family had to say:
Police & Courts
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Two men who played key roles in the assault that killed young Lismore man Jesse Vilkelis-Curas as he left an East Ballina pub have been jailed for a joint 12 years for the irreversible tragedy.
The long-awaited conclusion of the tragic case saw Bryson Larsen-Tai, 19, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter for laying the blow that led to Mr Vilkelis-Curas’ 2019 death, face seven years and six months jail, backdated to January 2020.
Tyrese Hickling, 20, who pleaded guilty to affray and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, will face four years and six months behind bars, backdated to May 3 2020.
Hickling’s aggregated sentence included another assault occasioning actual bodily harm, relating to an attack on a Lismore mural artist while he was on conditional bail for the Shaws Bay assault.
On Friday, Judge Warwick Hunt passed down his judgment for the two men which he said stemmed from a “very sad set of circumstances which obviously spiralled well out of control.”
Judge Hunt said eloquent victim impact statements had made it apparent of the “heartfelt and long lasting” impacts on Mr Vilkelis-Curas’ family and his long-term partner.
“It is quite clear the life of a human being is irreplaceable,” he said.
“To Jesse’s family, I hope today is another step for a little more healing for you.”
Outside of court, Jesse’s mother Kristina Vilkelis-Curas said she was stunned to hear the details of the assault and thanked the community for their support during this traumatic time.
“My two boys were completely innocent,” she said.
“It was an attack, it wasn’t a brawl, they didn’t provoke any of that.
“It was an outright attack.
“They were ambushed by strangers for a beer. It doesn’t make sense.
“It means nothing, what they got. It’s irrelevant for us. (For us) it’s a life sentence.”
Judge Hunt described how the December 23 tragedy began after an altercation in a Shaws Bay pub where the 24-year-old Mr Vilkelis-Curas accidentally smashed the 18th birthday glass of Heath Lynden Cooper.
Despite apologising profusely and offering to pay, the court heard Jeral Milner – previously convicted of assault offences and affray – pushed Mr Vilkelis-Curas after punching his brother in the beer garden.
Larsen-Tai’s group was ejected from the pub and the Vilkelis-Curas brothers were held back by security for some time to give them time to disperse.
But the two groups collided again outside despite the pub’s “best efforts”, Judge Hunt said.
“One of the great shames in this case is that plan did not have that effect,” he said.
The court heard Larsen-Tai’s group came back to meet the two brothers near Missingham Bridge.
It was then Larsen-Tai struck Mr Vilkelis-Curas to the side of the head while he wasn’t looking.
Hickling then stomped on the victim’s body while he was lying unconscious in a gutter.
Judge Hunt noted Hickling’s actions gave indignity to the already unconscious Mr Vilkelis-Curas.
“A stomping of somebody on the ground is a significantly violent action and may have in different circumstances caused grave injuries to the deceased,” he said.
The court heard Larsen-Tai took Mr Vilkelis-Curas’ phone which he later dumped in a nearby bin.
Emergency services were called to the scene at Hill and Park Streets at 8pm.
Mr Vilkelis-Curas was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital, where he died on Boxing Day from “non-survivable brain injuries”.
In sentencing, Judge Hunt acknowledged Larsen-Tai’s blow may have caused a concussion or just caused Mr Vilkelis-Curas to trip and fall into the ground.
He said the punch couldn’t be described as a king hit but occurred at a time Mr Vilkelis-Curas was looking away.
“I take into account there was no suggestion the offence was planned, it was a stupid opportunistic offence,” he said.
He acknowledged defence submissions that Mr Larsen-Tai had a “dire” upbringing influenced by domestic violence.
He also noted Hickling’s “severe early childhood trauma” and his expressed remorse for the incident.
Larsen-Tai will face a non-parole period of five years and is eligible for parole on January 8, 2025.
Hickling will face a non-parole period of three years and is eligible for parole from May 3, 2023.
Cooper was previously also convicted of involvement by way of affray, property damage and failing to leave a licenced premises when required.
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