Family of Karen Belej calls for tougher sentencing after ‘lenient’ sentence

GRIEVING relatives of Karen Belej, who was shot dead by her bikie boyfriend, are petitioning for tougher sentencing for violent criminals amid calls for a review of her killer’s “lenient” punishment.

GRIEVING relatives of domestic violence campaigner Karen Belej, who was shot dead by her bikie boyfriend, are petitioning for tougher sentencing for violent criminals amid calls for the killer’s “lenient” punishment to be reviewed.

It comes after Brandon Osborn, a Rebels bikie, had his sentence downgraded to manslaughter despite admitting he pulled the trigger on a loaded gun in the couple’s Mildura home in May last year.

Ms Belej, 31, a much-loved local council worker, died at the scene.

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Domestic violence campaigner Karen Belej was killed by her bikie boyfriend.

In a deal with prosecutors, Osborn’s murder charge was downgraded — meaning he could be out within six years — after claiming that when he pulled the trigger, he didn’t intend for it to discharge.
The sentencing has outraged the victim’s family and the wider community, with more than 9000 people signing a petition for tougher sentencing.

Ms Belej’s brothers Chris and Tim were in Parliament today to see the petition tabled.

The Justice for Karen petition, in addition to calling for tougher sentencing for violent criminals, calls on Daniel Andrews to urge the Office of Public Prosecutions to consider appealing against the lenient sentence.

Chris and Tim Belej with their petition.

Bikie Brandon Osborn admitted to pulling the trigger.

Member for Mildura Peter Crisp told parliament that changing attitudes toward domestic violence must “start from the top”.

“We need a whole community approach to a whole community problem and our community has stood up and very clearly said enough is enough,” Mr Crisp said.

“Evil triumphs when good men do nothing.”

He added Ms Belej had hopes and dreams for her future and they had been taken away.

“One person, with one gun, stole that from Karen and no amount of legal-speak will ever convince me that a six-year sentence is adequate,” Mr Crisp said.

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