Cole Miller, 18, was killed by Armstrong Renata after a one-punch attack in 2016
The man who dealt the punch that killed Brisbane teenager Cole Miller has been sentenced to seven years in jail for the ‘cowardly’ attack.
New Zealand national Armstrong Renata fronted the Brisbane Supreme Court on Friday, having pleaded guilty to a count of unlawful striking causing death over the senseless January 2016 assault.
The 23-year-old was sentenced to seven years jail, with Justice Helen Bowskill describing the Fortitude Valley incident as ‘cowardly and violent’.
She said his actions stole the life of a young man and ‘destroyed’ those of his family and close friends.
But she said it was also a ‘tragedy’ that Renata himself, who will be required to serve 80 per cent of his term, found himself in the prisoner’s dock.
Renata punched the promising water polo player in the head while out in the Fortitude Valley nightclub district on January 3, 2016.
The 18-year-old suffered massive brain trauma, with his family making the heartbreaking decision to turn off his life support on January 5.
Armstrong Renata, 23, (pictured) has been jailed for seven years for killing Cole Miller, 18, following a ‘cowardly’ one punch attack
The cover of the program for the funeral service for 18 year-old one-punch victim Cole Miller
Before the sentence was handed down, the court heard victim impact statements from Cole Miller’s parents describing the ‘nightmare’ of losing their beloved son.
The talented water polo player’s father Steven said his youngest son was a ‘kid with a dream’ and his death had thrown the family into ‘utter turmoil’.
He said Cole’s life was ‘violently cut short’ in an act that marked the start of a ‘nightmare’ for his loved ones and friends.
Cole Miller’s father, Steven, leaves the Supreme Court in Brisbane following the sentencing of Mr Renata on Friday
Cole Miller’s mother, Mary-Leigh, leaves court after learning her son’s attacker will spend seven years behind bars
‘(It’s) a nightmare that no one should have to endure,’ Mr Miller told the court.
‘It’s been a long 20 months since then and I know my children suffer everyday.’
‘(The) tragic loss of their brother … is a burden they will carry forever.’
At times dabbing his eyes with a tissue, Mr Miller described lying awake at night listening to his wife Mary-Leigh cry.
He then read his wife’s statement in which she described having to take anti-depressants and sleeping tablets to cope with the devastation of her loss.
Mr Renata’s father leaves Brisbane Supreme Court following his son’s seven year jail sentence
Mr Renata’s mother leaves court with family and friends in tow, after learning her son will spend seven years behind bars
She said she was engulfed by grief whenever left alone and remembered her son as a beautiful, quiet and gentle young man.
Renata appeared distressed in the dock as he listened to the heart-wrenching statements, later making his own apology to the court.
‘From the very bottom of my heart, I am truly sorry,’ he said.
It comes after Renata’s co-accused, Daniel Maxwell, walked from court in August after being handed an 18-month suspended sentence for starting the fight that led to Mr Miller’s death.
Maxwell has since been deported to New Zealand.
Renata’s more than 600 days in pre-sentence custody were declared as time already served.