DPP refuses to appeal sentence of Luay Sako for murder of Celeste Manno

The devastated mother of murdered Mernda woman Celeste Manno has slammed the state’s top prosecutor for refusing to appeal the sentence of her daughter’s murderer.

Celeste Manno's mother Aggie Di Mauro speaks at a rally outside Parliament House on Sunday. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

The state’s top prosecutor has refused to appeal the sentence of murderer Luay Sako in a decision that has “appalled” and “disgusted” Celeste Manno’s family.

Ms Manno’s mother, Aggie Di Mauro told the Herald Sun, “I am disgusted.”

“I’m appalled, I feel so sorry for my sweetie,” she said.

Ms Di Mauro said it was the OPP that urged Justice Jane Dixon to jail Sako for life.

“They believed it warranted it,” she said.

Celeste Manno and her mum Aggie Di Mauro.

But now, the office has informed her they aren’t going to appeal the sentence of her daughter’s murderer because they don’t believe they can win.

The devastated mother dismissed the excuse, believing an appeal should be lodged anyway so a full panel of Court of Appeal judges could decide.

Ms Di Mauro, who has scrutinised Justice Dixon’s sentencing remarks, believed there were legal errors made that warranted a life term.

“Basically she decided to reduce his moral culpability to such a level that this does not warrant life,” she said.

‘I would love to see if Justice Dixon would feel exactly the same way if she was trying to get justice for her 23-year-old.

“If our judges aren’t capable of harsh punishment when it’s warranted, they need to step down and allow someone else who is capable (to step in).”

Celeste Manno’s killer Luay Sako was jailed for 36 years with a non-parole period of 30 years

She said the outcome sent the message that the court process was “not at all about the victim”.

“The victim was killed – they don’t exist.”

Ms Manno’s loved ones took to the streets on Sunday leading a march from the Victorian parliament to the Supreme Court calling for Sako to be re-sentenced to life imprisonment after he was jailed for 36 years with a non-parole period of 30 years for her murder.

Victoria’s Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Brendan Kissane KC on Thursday said it would not be appealing because it believed the Court of Appeal was unlikely to allow it.

“The prosecution would need to show that the 36-year head sentence was wholly outside the range of available sentencing options,” he said.

“Having regard to the sentencing judge’s findings and to Court of Appeal authority, including OPP v Codey Herrmann, the Acting DPP considers there are not reasonable prospects that the Court of Appeal would allow a prosecution sentence appeal.”

An appeal by the DPP against Herrmann – who received the same sentence as Sako for the murder of Aiia Maasarwe – was dismissed in 2021.

Mr Kissane said it was “clear that Celeste was a vibrant and much-loved young woman with her whole life ahead of her”.

“The offender’s actions caused her family and friends profound grief and suffering. We are also conscious that the decision not to appeal the sentence will come as a great disappointment,” he said.

“Our deepest sympathies are with Celeste’s loved ones at this difficult time.”