‘Kick in the guts’ for Patrick Cronin’s family as one-punch killer Andrew Lee appeals five-year sentence

TRAGIC teen Patrick Cronin’s one-punch killer has lodged an appeal against his five-year minimum jail term complaining it was “manifestly excessive”.

A MAN who killed teen Patrick Cronin with one punch is appealing against a five-year minimum jail term, arguing it is manifestly excessive.

Andrew William Lee has lodged an appeal just a week after Patrick’s devastated parents wrote to the Director of Public Prosecutions begging him to appeal against the leniency of Lee’s sentence.

Lee, 34, was jailed for a maximum of eight years after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of Patrick, 19, on April 16, 2016.

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Patrick’s father, Matt Cronin, said yesterday the appeal was a “kick in the guts”.

Patrick Cronin’s parents Robyn and Matt Cronin. Picture: David Caird

“I’m not shocked but I’m really disappointed,” he said.

In their letter to DPP John Champion, SC, Matt and Robyn Cronin said the sentence simply wasn’t enough, and their experience of the criminal justice system had left them totally disenchanted.

“As victims of the most horrendous crime against our beautiful, innocent son, we are left with no sense of justice and we are seeking your intervention to send a message … that Victoria does not accept and should not accept such lenient sentences for this type of manslaughter.

Andrew Lee arrives at the Melbourne Supreme Court. Picture: Nicole Garmston

The community outrage that has been shared with us … clearly shows that Victorians expect higher sentences and it is time for you, as the Director of Public Prosecutions, to take this case to the court of appeal to demand a higher sentence,” they wrote.

The Cronins were dismayed that laws mandating 10-year minimum terms for one-punch killers had yet to be used, three years after their introduction.

One-punch victim Patrick Cronin.

“To think that the sentence handed down to Pat’s killer was only 40 per cent of the maximum permissible and the non-parole period only 50 per cent of the intended non-parole period … makes us feel sick in the stomach,” they wrote.

“All this for a person who maintained a not guilty plea until the third day of the trial.”

Lee pleaded guilty after prosecutors chose not to pursue a 10-year minimum term.

Robyn and Matt Cronin after Andrew Lee’s sentencing. Picture: Nicole Garmson

In light of Lee’s appeal, the Cronins have again written to the DPP.

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