Two of sword manslaughter group released from jail on parole after Burnie death of Bobby Medcraft

Two of the four people that killed young Burnie father Bobby Medcraft – who bled to death after his leg was slashed with a sword – have been released from prison on parole.

Burnie man Michael William Hanlon has now been released from jail after serving time for his role in the manslaughter of Bobby Medcraft. Picture: Facebook

Two of the four people that killed young Burnie father Bobby Medcraft – who bled to death after his leg was slashed with a sword – have been released from prison on parole.

Last December, Kelsey Maree Ford, 24, her brother Lucas Shane Ford, 31, Michael William Hanlon, 54, and Cody Christopher Shane Sheehan, 34, were all found guilty of manslaughter in the wake of the March 2020 attack with a Fantasy Master sword.

They were each acquitted of the more serious charge of murder.

At the time, Supreme Court judge Robert Pearce said Sheehan and Lucas Ford were the most culpable for Mr Medcraft’s death – with Sheehan delivering the fatal blow and Ford the driving force behind the attack.

Alleged Burnie murder victim Bobby Medcraft (centre), with his grandfather and mum Leeanne. Picture: Facebook

The killing occurred after an errant Snapchat message spiralled into abusive communication between several people, escalating into a wild car chase through the suburbs of Burnie.

The vicious bashing and sword attack that took Mr Medcraft’s life had culminated in the artery behind his knee being severed as he lay in a garden bed.

All four of his killers have been in custody since the date of the manslaughter.

The Parole Board of Tasmania revealed on Friday that it had granted parole to Kelsey Ford and Michael William Hanlon, with both released on March 15 this year.

Both will remain on parole until 2025.

Acton woman Kelsey Maree Ford, 24. Picture: Facebook

In its decision to parole Kelsey Ford, the board noted she was present when Sheehan wielded the sword and that her manslaughter conviction arose from her aiding and/or abetting his actions, or from the fact death was a probable consequence of the group’s intent to assault Mr Medcraft.

It noted Ford had no criminal history, but also suffered “significant intellectual deficits” that likely reduced her capacity to appreciate the consequences of the group’s actions.

Ford had been housed in the Vanessa Goodwin units of the Mary Hutchinson Women’s Prison, working in the prison kitchen as a senior hand, with case notes recording her behaviour as “positive and polite”.

In its decision to parole Hanlon, the board noted he did not wield the sword, but engaged himself in a confrontation “that ultimately led to the loss of life”.

It noted he was housed in minimum security, with case notes recording his good work ethic, and that he’d been working at the prison laundry and kitchen.

Hanlon will be monitored with an electronic device upon his release.

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