Richard Vincec escapes conviction over parole breaches

He was drunk and high when he punched and killed a man outside a nightclub and ran from the scene. Now a music festival drinking session has landed him back in court.

Richard Vincec. Picture: Nicole Garmston

A Geelong man who killed a stranger in a brutal one-punch attack has escaped a conviction for breaching his parole.
Richard Vincec, 33, appeared in the Geelong Magistrates Court on Friday and pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching the conditions of his parole by drinking alcohol.

Vincec was jailed in October 2017 for the manslaughter of 22-year-old Jaiden Walker.

Walker died a week after being punched in the head by Vincec outside Cherry Bar in Melbourne’s CBD, in the early hours of May 6, 2017.

Vincec, who was drunk and high on cocaine on the night and fled the scene, was jailed for eight years.

According to documents released by the court, Vincec was granted parole on May 10, 2022.

One of the conditions of Vincec’s parole is that he is not to consume alcohol unless otherwise approved in writing by his regional manager.

Vincec has an ankle bracelet which continuously monitors for alcohol consumption, and his parole order won’t run out until 2025.

Seven months after being released from prison, Vincec drank eight mid-strength beers at the Queenscliff Music Festival, between 1.56pm on November 26, 2022 until 4.45am on November 27.

On November 29, a parole officer spoke to Vincec over the phone, and Vincec admitted to consuming “two mid-strength beers” according to court documents.

At a parole hearing in December 2022, Vincec explained that he consumed six to seven drinks.

When interviewed by police about the breach, Vincec explained he had received news of a close relative having a heart attack and he “hit rock bottom”.

“At the time, I was at a very destructive place,” he said.

According to charge sheets released by the court, Vincec also consumed alcohol on March 10, 2023, between Narre Warren and Geelong.

Magistrate John Lesser fined Vincec $750 without conviction.

Originally published as Richard Vincec escapes conviction over parole breaches