Petition pushes for appeal against Bailey Clifford’s ‘lenient’ sentence for killing Paul Grapsas

More than 2600 people have signed a petition asking authorities to take steps that would see Bailey Clifford have his jail time extended for stabbing Paul Grapsas to death.

Some members of the community are outraged by the sentencing of Bailey Clifford, right, who killed Paul Grapsas, left, in September 2023. Picture: Supplied

Thousands of people have joined a campaign calling for a harsher sentence for the killer of Geelong father Paul Grapsas.

Bailey Clifford stabbed Mr Grapsas seven times on September 14, 2023 and left him to die lying in a gutter, where his pregnant wife found him the next morning.

Last week Clifford was sentenced to eight years with a minimum of five for manslaughter, but with time already served could be out in less than four years.

A day after the Wednesday verdict, a change.org petition was launched by Marnie Jewell asking the Director of Public Prosecutions, Brendan Kissane, to appeal the sentence.

As of Sunday night more than 2600 people had signed the petition, which states it seeks “justice” for “Paul Grapsas, his family, and the Geelong community.”

In a statement on the website, Ms Jewell said the pain of Mr Grapsas’ death was “compounded” by the ruling.

“Clifford, who may only serve four years, was handed a punishment that failed to match the gravity of his actions,” she said.

“This case’s lenient sentence does not adequately echo the loss of a cherished life or the torment inflicted on the victim’s family and friends.”

Jessica Grapsas, supported on either side by her parents, speaking outside Geelong Law Courts following the sentencing of Bailey Clifford. Picture: Alexander Blain

Speaking outside of the Geelong Magistrates Court on Wednesday, Jessica Grapsas said the current state of the justice system favoured perpetrators.

“We have increased manslaughter sentences in this state to 25 years, yet no judge is willing to sentence above the maximum 13 years anyone has ever been sentenced in this state in the last decade,” she said.

“When will the justice system bridge the gap between truly accidentally causing death and instilling harsher penalties for those where the lines are blurred towards murder?

“It is an unacceptable and shocking.”

On the night of his death, Mr Grapsas had taken his dog for a late-night walk, when he came across Clifford breaking into his car and went to confront him, sparking the attack that would claim his life.

Originally published as Petition pushes for appeal against Bailey Clifford’s ‘lenient’ sentence for killing Paul Grapsas