Tauri Litchfield, 28, who died after he was allegedly chased by a group of teenagers in Mandurah on St Patrick's Day, 2013. Source: Supplied
THREE teenagers convicted of Mandurah sailmaker Tauri Litchfield's death were sentenced to four-and-a-half years detention today – while the "pack's" ringleader was slapped with an extra year behind bars.
The sentences came after Mr Litchfield's "broken" mother confronted the teenagers in court this morning, urging them to rehabilitate and make a better future for themselves.
The court was also told of two of teenagers' violent pasts, with one boy previously involved in an attempted group sex attack.
Children's Court president Denis Reynolds sentenced the four boys, aged 15 and 16, this afternoon, after he last month convicted them of manslaughter, but cleared them of murder.
They were found to have assaulted and chased the 28-year-old to his death on St Patrick's Day last year in Mandurah. Mr Litchfield fell or tripped over a wall and hit his head while trying to escape the teens.
With time already served, the instigator, sentenced to five-and-a-half years, could be free in less than two years. The three other boys could be released after serving another 14 months.
In sentencing today, Judge Reynolds said the boy who tried to pickpocket and then punched Mr Litchfield – after he slapped the youth on the back of the head – wanted to show the older man that he was the boss.
"You likely felt demeaned (by the slap) in the presence of the group," Judge Reynolds said.
Despite suggestions during the trial that Mr Litchfield had been agitated after celebrating St Patrick's Day with friends, Judge Reynolds found he did not engage in any unprovoked violence. "Different boys were being a real nuisance to him in one way or another," Judge Reynolds said.
He said Mr Litchfield's personal space was closed off by the boys, which would have made him feel intimidated.
Judge Reynolds said Mr Litchfield was "extremely fearful" for his own safety from the "pack" of youths and was trying to escape to avoid being further assaulted.
Tauri's girlfriend Lisa Emes, sister Kirra Litchfield and dad Clive Litchfield.
He said deterrence was an important consideration to prevent similar violence in the community.
"People should be able to walk in public alone," he said.
The judge also noted that Mr Litchfield's family and friends were enduring "everlasting pain".
"Sadly, his death is real," Judge Reynolds said.
Judge Reynolds questioned the level of remorse from each teenager.
The court heard that two of the boys did not have criminal records, but two others had violent records including one who was involved in an attempted group sex attack and another who threw a brick at a person's face.
Each boy has already been in custody for about a year – part of which was at the adult facility, Hakea Prison, because the Banksia Hill juvenile detention centre had been trashed in a riot.
They will be eligible for supervised release orders after serving half of their sentences.
A fifth boy was acquitted of any crime against Mr Litchfield, while a charge against a sixth boy was dropped during the trial.
TAURI'S MOTHER SPEAKS TO TEEN KILLERS
Earlier today, Mr Litchfield's mother told the boys to make a better future for themselves, while she would "take this pain to my grave".
Kerry Biggs read her victim impact statement to the Perth Children's Court this morning during submissions ahead of the boys' sentencing for manslaughter.
She said her son was about to take on a managerial role at work, was going to travel, and wanted to buy a house and have children before his tragic death.
She said she was "broken" by the loss of her son who would never achieve those goals.
"I will take this pain to my grave," she said.
"I am unable, and find it very hard, to think of the future."
Ms Biggs said she struggled to cope with everyday life without counselling and antidepressants.
"Tauri will never be gone because he will be remembered in our family," she said.
"I will carry his heart in my heart forever."
Ms Biggs told the guilty teenagers that while her family would deal with their grief for the rest of their lives, the boys could still change their lives.
"You have an opportunity to choose how to use the rest of your lives, to make a better future for your family, your community and your children," she said.
Ms Biggs said there were no words to describe the agony and anguish she felt.
"When you have your own children, then you will understand what you took from us," she said.
In sentencing later, Judge Reynolds said he hoped the boys would take note of her comments in their rehabilitation.
Mr Litchfield's girlfriend, Lisa Emes, said in a victim impact statement that her partner was a friendly person who loved adventure and exploring.
"With Tauri by my side, I had everything," she said.
Ms Emes said it was "incomprehensible" to lose Mr Litchfield and said she screamed for him to wake up in the hospital so she could see his blue eyes again.
The four teens, who were cleared of Mr Litchfield's murder after a lengthy Children's Court trial in February and March, were found to have chased then assaulted the 28-year-old to his death, on March 17 last year.
A fifth teenager, who is now 15, was cleared of all charges and released after 12 months in custody.
When Judge Reynolds handed down his verdict on March 28, he said he considered each of the accused's role on the day and while he thought the actions in relation to four was "threatening" and "intimidating behaviour" he did not think it constituted murder.
