Allan Lawrence sentenced in Wollongong District Court for manslaughter of Morgan Brown at Mangerton

A killer who took a man’s life in an Illawarra drug robbery gone wrong, has been sentenced to seven years in prison, following the public and “vicious” attack.

A killer will spend at least four years and 10 months behind bars, after stabbing a would-be thief to death in a Wollongong drug robbery gone wrong.

Morgan Brown’s last moments were captured on CCTV, as Allan Lawrence, 29, chased him down with a knife through a street in Mangerton near Wollongong in a bid to take back meth, cash and a handbag stolen from him.

Wollongong District Court heard how Brown, along with Denny Williams, demanded drugs and money from a unit which Lawrence and some friends were smoking cannabis in, on the afternoon of April 24 last year.

The duo – donned in bandannas and armed with a screwdriver – said if Lawrence and his friends did not comply, they would be stabbed.

Williams and Brown nabbed a hand bag with the drugs and cash, before fleeing the scene.

Allan Lawrence, 29, stabbed Morgan Brown [pictured in red hoodie] to death in Wollongong.

Crown prosecutor Nerissa Keay told the court earlier this month during Lawrence’s sentence hearing, how the 29-year-old then said “let’s go get these c--ts” before grabbing a knife and chasing them down.

CCTV footage played to the court showcased Brown’s final moments, as Lawrence chased him down Myuna Way, catching up to him a number of times.

Allan Lawrence was sentenced in the Wollongong District Court.

Brown was stabbed a total of six times during the pursuit.

He was treated by paramedics and police at the scene but died later in hospital, with injuries to his arteries and brain.

Williams was charged and pleaded guilty to aggravated enter dwelling and larceny, before he was convicted and sentenced in the Wollongong District Court in September to a two-year intensive correction order.

Meanwhile, Lawrence was charged with manslaughter and pleaded guilty in May, before his sentencing on Thursday.

Allan Lawrence pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Picture: Facebook

Lawrence was arrested and refused bail on April 25, 2023 and placed in custody at the Long Bay Correctional Complex, where he has remained.

Defence barrister Scott Fraser previously said his client was acting out of “revenge” in the attack, labelling the ordeal a “heat of the moment” decision.

However, Ms Keay said the court could not condone vigilantism.

When handing down his judgement, Judge William Fitzsimmons said Lawrence’s response to the drug robbery was “overwhelmingly” extreme.

Judge Fitzsimmons also noted the public setting in which the “vicious” attack took place.

“No one should have to witness such repeated violence involving the use of a weapon resulting in fatal injuries,” he said.

Judge Fitzsimmons did however acknowledge that Lawrence struggled with intellectual and decision making issues, derived from fetal alcohol syndrome.

“I accept that the offender has expressed genuine remorse,” he said.

He also noted Lawrence was extremely willing to assist police after the incident, going so far as to tell them exactly where the knife used was located.

“The offender has significant difficulties conceptualising options and weighing up possible consequences,” Judge Fitzsimmons said.

Taking into account his early plea and his time served, Judge Fitzsimmons convicted Lawrence and sentenced him to seven years and six months of full time custody, four years and 10 months without parole.

Lawrence will be eligible for release on April 30, 2028.

Got a news tip? Email us at [e-mail]