Mum's tears as teen son's killer released early despite a High Court sentence appeal

A YOUNG thug who killed a 17-year old with a single punch has been released from juvenile detention after serving just over a year inside.

Cameron Lowe crossed paths with his killer, who cannot be named because he was 17 at the time, when he and friends went to buy food in Pakenham on the night of November 6, 2010.
The killer had drunk 15 vodka energy drinks in three hours when he punched Cameron for no apparent reason, knocking him out.
Cameron fell to the road and hit his head.
He was helped home, but complained of headaches and later died in hospital.

Fatally bashed teen Cameron Lowe. Picture:

The killer was jailed in August 2011 for six years, with a non-parole term of four years, for the 2010 killing.He had pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
In March, the Court of Appeal reduced that to three years' youth detention, which would have seen him released as early as next year.
Instead he was released from juvenile detention on Monday.

The street where 17-year-old Cameron Lowe was bashed and subsequently died. Picture: Mark Smith.

A Youth Parole Board spokesman said the killer's rehabilitation was a significant factor in his release and defended releasing him while an appeal was progressing through the High Court.
"People may think a pending appeal is important, but it would be wrong of us to impact on parole while people wait on an appeal date that is unknown,'' he said.
Today, Cameron's father called for calm amid fears of revenge attacks against the man who killed his son.
Ex-Herald Sun journalist appointed to Sentencing Advisory Council

Cameron's father, Gavin Lowe, holds a purple balloon at his son's funeral. Picture: Darren McNamara

Gavin Lowe, who in the past has dodged the media spotlight, made an impassioned plea for Cameron’s devastated friends not to take the law into their own hands.
His plea followed the shock secret release of Cameron’s killer on Monday.
"I just hope that people leave him alone because I don’t want anything happening to this kid,’’ he said. "I know people around that area (are angry).’’
Mr Lowe said he was shattered that his son’s killer was back on the street already.

Cameron's father (left) with other mourners. Picture: Darren Mcnamara

"It’s just wrong. I’m just devastated about it and I wasn’t even notified. He was supposed to have had a minimum of three years,’’ he said.
Mr Lowe said he heard about the killer’s release from his ex-wife.
"The Homicide squad wasn’t notified that he was going to have a parole hearing and we weren’t notified either and we’re supposed to know aren’t we?’’ he said.
"This has just gutted me. It’s just shock. Real, total shock, there is nothing else to describe it. I was shocked when his sentence got reduced, and now all of a sudden he’s out.’’

Funeral service for teenager Cam Lowe at Pakenham. Picture: Darren Mcnamara

The release of Cameron's killer also came to a complete surprise to Cameron’s mum Rikki Arney, who heard about his release yesterday from friends in Pakenham
The killer was released despite the current appeal against his sentence.
Ms Arney described her son’s killer's release as an "absolute disgrace".
"I’ve been crying all night,’’ she said. "I can’t believe the justice system is so soft. How could they just release him? I feel like my sentence has been twice as hard as his."
It remains unclear if the boy has headed back to Pakenham where he committed the crime, but sources have suggested police have been put on high alert for possible payback attacks.
Only one of the three judge Court of Appeal panel argued against the killer’s sentence being reduced.
Under the juvenile detention system, the court can only impose a maximum prison sentence.
But the juvenile parole board has the power to release "clients" at its discretion.
Ms Arney, who moved to Queensland with her large family following the tragedy, said she was shocked at the killer’s release while an appeal was in the works at the High Court in Canberra.
"I would have thought that they’d at least have him locked up until then. So he’s going to be able to go out and do it again," she said.
"It's an absolute disgrace that he can get away with murder and be out in a year and 17 days…I can’t believe that our system is so soft. They take an innocent life and they go 'on your bike, you’ve learnt your lesson now'. This guy had a similar prior from six days before. How could they just release him?"
Ms Arney said her family had endured hell since her son’s death, which had been compounded by the sentence reduction in March.
Ms Arney said the homicide squad, Office of Public Prosecutions or herself had any idea he had been released.
"Every teenager in Pakenham knew he was out except me. I was told by a very close friend of mine who has teenage kids," she said.  "I find this all such a disgusting kick in the face."

heraldsun.com.au 11 Oct 2012

Another example how the legal system 'deliberately' fails the masses.