Pat Cronin death: Father Matt Cronin speaks out on ‘disappointing’ court sentences for Windy Mile hotel brawlers

The family of coward punch victim Patrick Cronin has vowed to lobby lawmakers after a lengthy court process delivered ‘disappointing’ results.

The family of an Eltham teen who died after pulling a mate out of a pub brawl is calling for law reform after a “disappointing” and “drawn-out” process to prosecute some of the main offenders.

The last four of seven men charged with affray after the 2016 fight that caused 19-year-old Patrick Cronin’s death faced Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court this week, bringing an end to the Cronin family’s long wait to see how the justice system would handle those that chose to participate in the violence rather than walk away.

Andrew Lee, who threw the coward punch that ultimately killed Patrick, was convicted of manslaughter in 2017.

Patrick Cronin pictured in 2016 at his part-time cafe job. Picture: Supplied

For Patrick’s father Matt Cronin, the answers that came out of the final hearings, on Monday and Wednesday, were an “insult” to those affected by the tragedy and a sign too many “loopholes” remained in laws relevant to the case.

“Every day we miss Pat and we know that he’s never coming back and that’s what we’ve got as a life sentence,” he said.

“Compare that to what the magistrates and the supreme court judges handed out – people can weigh that up and see what they think.”

Mr Cronin said the family was particularly upset that three of those charged with affray pleaded guilty but avoided criminal convictions after being assessed as suitable for diversion.

“Would I have liked one of these guys to go to jail? Absolutely, because that would've sent a stronger message.

“Did any of these guys kill Pat? No, they didn’t, but what they did that night contributed to a fight that led to Pat getting hit.

“And that fight doesn’t happen if they didn‘t do what they did.”

Robyn and Matt Cronin pictured at Melbourne’s Supreme Court in 2017 after the sentencing of Patrick Cronin's coward punch killer Andrew Lee. Picture: Nicole Garmson

The harshest penalty for the three men found guilty this week was the $3000 fine with conviction imposed on Wayne Gilbert McManus — who unsuccessfully contested his charge, and who the court heard had two relevant prior convictions.

First-time offender Simon Jeffrey Buchanan — who did not attend court but appeared on Monday via video link — was offered diversion and ordered to make a $2000 donation to the Pat Cronin Foundation within six months, and be of good behaviour.

Aron John Burns — who had a prior conviction for intentionally causing injury — was convicted and fined $2000.

Gerrard O’Connor’s charge was dismissed after he pleaded not guilty on the basis he was acting in self-defence.

Samuel Judd and Luke Sheahan were offered diversions in 2021.

“If I look at the actions of my son that night, I can be nothing but proud of what he did and I wonder what these guys’ parents are thinking about what they did — how proud are they of their sons and their actions that led to the death of someone — a 19-year-old boy who was doing nothing else but trying to help his mate,” Mr Cronin said.

“As for a $2000 fine or a $3000 fine — what an insult.

“That’s not going to hurt these guys.

“It’s a token gesture at best.”

Patrick Cronin’s brother Lucas, parents Robyn and Matt and sister Emma pictured outside the Court of Appeal in 2018 when Andrew Lee sought permission to appeal his eight-year jail sentence for manslaughter. Picture: David Caird

A Magistrate’s decision not to allow the reading of a victim impact statement to the court prior to McManus’ sentencing also came as a shock, Mr Cronin said.

“Where were our rights? They were totally dismissed.

“Would it have changed anything with the outcome? Probably not, but it might've made McManus squirm a bit.

“I don't cop his excuse to say he didn't contribute to Pat’s death — well he did, because if he didn‘t do what he did — the fight stops and Pat never gets hit.

“Unfortunately we were silenced.

“Our rights were just stomped on.”

The Cronin family believes the courts could have done more to acknowledge the ongoing suffering of those close to Patrick and to deter young men like those with him at the Windy Mile hotel in the hours before he died from starting or joining in on fights.

“To be given a diversion — big deal. What about sending them off to an anger management course?

“What about making them attend the Pat Cronin Foundation Be Wise presentation and stand up the front and say ‘This is what I did – I’m a dickhead’. That would be a real diversion order wouldn’t it?”

Mr Cronin vowed to continue to educate youth in Victoria and soon other states on the impacts of violence through the Pat Cronin Foundation, and to advocate for change on behalf of victims.

He was particularly keen to see coward punch laws changed to make it easier for judges to administer a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence.

“Those laws were introduced in 2014 – they’ve been used once,” he said.

“In Pat’s case, it was so obvious what happened, caught on camera, and yet they weren't able to be used because the way that the law’s written is that there's still loopholes there.

“We have to close those loopholes.

“We have to get better outcomes from the courts.

“And I’ll be the first in line to give my thoughts to anyone who wants to listen.

“The fact that our legal system allows magistrates and judges to dole out the punishments that they have – they’re working within their guidelines.

“If we want genuine change, that can only come from our political leaders, and I absolutely call upon every local member and the premier and the attorney general to sit down with us and understand this.

“Laws can change. When there’s political will, it can happen.”

Eltham MP Vicki Ward and Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes were contacted for comment.