Andrew Lee jailed for killing Patrick Cronin in one-punch attack
BREAKING: A coward who punched a footballer in the head and killed him could be freed from jail in just five years.
A MELBOURNE man who killed a teenager with a single punch during a brawl outside a pub has been jailed for eight years for manslaughter.
Andrew William Lee, 34, fatally punched 19-year-old footballer and student Patrick Cronin to the temple outside the Windy Mile Hotel at Diamond Creek in April 2016.
In the Supreme Court of Victoria on Friday, Justice Lex Lasry jailed martial arts expert Lee for eight years for manslaughter.
But that means he could be freed in just five years as that is when he will be eligible for parole.
Mr Cronin was trying to pull his friends to safety after a wild brawl erupted. He wasn’t involved in the fight but was punched in the head by Lee, who also assaulted several others.
Later that night he complained of feeling sick and took some Panadol. His mum came to pick him up, but by that stage his condition had worsened and he couldn’t even speak.
He was rushed to hospital where an x-ray revealed a fractured skull. He died the next day.
In court today, Justice Lasry said there was “no need” for Lee to throw the punch.
“You should’ve remained standing and watching, or preferably followed Patrick Cronin’s example and tried to prevent the fight from continuing,” he said.
“The one person who suffered the terrible consequences of this action was the person who showed no aggression whatsoever.”
Lee, who is trained in Thai kickboxing, was two days into a jury trial in September when he pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
The courtroom on Friday overflowed with Mr Cronin’s family members, friends and football teammates, some of whom stood and clapped when Lee was jailed.