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The mother of a teenager who died in an unprovoked single-punch attack, which triggered lockout laws in Sydney’s busiest clubbing strip, has told a court he has been given a “double life sentence” .
Kieran Loveridge will be released from prison after the New South Wales State Parole Authority found on Thursday there would be a “substantially increased risk” if he were released later.
The man, now aged 30, has spent more than 10 years in prison after killing Thomas Kelly in the “cowardly and unprovoked” attack in July 2012.
Appearing from Broken Hill Correctional Center on Thursday ahead of a NSW State Probation Authority hearing, Loveridge listened as Mr Kelly’s mother, Kathy Kelly, delivered a heartbreaking message to the court.
Kieran Loveridge (pictured) will be released from prison after the New South Wales State Parole Authority found there would be a “substantially increased risk” if he were released later.
Kieran Loveridge killed Thomas Kelly (pictured) in the ‘cowardly and unprovoked’ attack in July 2012.
“We lost our beautiful son… four years later, our other son, Stewart, took his life as a result of the loss of his older brother,” Mrs Kelly said.
‘He was only 14 when Tom was murdered… our family may never find forgiveness for Mr Loveridge.
“We continue to cry every day for our two children… they have given us a double life sentence.”
Judge Geoffrey Bellew told the court the SPA was “satisfied” that it was in the community’s interest to free Loveridge.
While there will always be a risk in releasing an offender, Judge Bellew told the court the risks were mitigated in the case.
“There would be a substantially greater risk if he were released later with a shorter period of supervision,” he said.
“Or worse, at the end of his sentence without supervised parole.”
Loveridge was arrested when he was 18 and had spent “most” of his adult life in custody, Judge Bellew told the court.
He said it was “necessary” for the offender to have a period in the community while on probation.
As positive progress had been made in custody, Judge Bellew said Loveridge would be released between April 18 and 25.
In 2012, Loveridge was on an alcohol-fuelled rampage in Kings Cross when he attacked Mr Kelly, punching him and causing him to fall backwards and fracture his skull.
Kelly was rushed to hospital but suffered a serious brain injury and died two days later.
Loveridge was initially sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter and assaulting four other men, but was re-sentenced after the Crown appealed.
Kelly’s death led the New South Wales government to introduce legislation closing Sydney venues at 1am, known as lockout laws.
During his resentencing before the Court of Criminal Appeal in 2014, the act was described as “cowardly and unprovoked”.
He was given a maximum sentence of 13 years and eight months with a non-parole period of 10 years and two months.
Loveridge’s non-parole period expired in June last year, but his previous release was overturned by the parole authority.
Kelly’s death led the New South Wales government to introduce legislation closing Sydney venues at 1am, known as lockout laws.