All four of Bobby Medcraft’s killers now out of prison on parole after jail time served for manslaughter

All four of the people who killed young Burnie dad Bobby Medcraft have now been released from jail on parole – with the man who delivered the fatal sword blow now also set free.

From left, Kelsey Ford, Michael Hanlon, Cody Sheehan and Lucas Ford. Pictures: Facebook

All four of the people who killed young Burnie dad Bobby Medcraft have now been released from jail on parole – with the man who delivered the fatal sword blow now also set free.

Bobby Medcraft, 23, died in the early hours of March 29, 2020 after a vicious group bashing in the streets of Burnie, but ultimately bled to death after Cody Christopher Shane Sheehan struck him with a 67cm Fantasy Master sword.

Bobby William Medcraft. Picture: Facebook

Mr Medcraft’s death, which came about when the sword blow severed the artery behind his knee, had followed a social media dispute that escalated into a wild car chase through Burnie.

In November 2022, after a long trial, a Supreme Court of Tasmania jury acquitted five people accused of Mr Medcraft’s murder.

However, the jury found four of the accused – Sheehan, Lucas Ford, Michael Hanlon and Kelsey Ford – guilty of the lesser crime of manslaughter.

Kelsey Ford, who was jailed for five years, and Hanlon, who was jailed for five-and-a-half years, both with non-parole periods of half their terms, were each granted parole on March 15 last year.

Lucas Ford, who was jailed for six-and-a-half years, with a non-parole period of half that time, was granted parole on June 23 last year.

At the time of the sentencing, Supreme Court judge Robert Pearce said Lucas was “primarily responsible for the plan to find and assault Mr Medcraft”, which ultimately led to his death, and that his culpability was high – although not as high as Sheehan’s.

Shorewell Park man Cody Christopher Shane Sheehan. Picture: Facebook

Now, the Parole Board of Tasmania has also released Sheehan, a father-of-four who was jailed for eight years, with a non-parole period of four years.

In its newly-published decision, the board said Sheehan had expressed remorse for his crime and struggled with “knowing it was probably his fault” that Mr Medcraft died.

The board said Sheehan had been housed in minimum security, at Risdon Prison’s pre-release O’Hara cottages, and had been taking part in regular resocialisation leave with his family since last October.

A model of sword used to kill Bobby William Medcraft, 23. Picture: Facebook

“He participated in community employment on a daily basis with a local council working on walking tracks, rock walls and paving maintenance. He received glowing references from his employer which stated he had a ‘great attitude to work’,” the board said.

Sheehan was released on April 8, and will remain on parole until March 2028 with electronic monitoring.

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