Tyson Armstrong jailed for 10 years after one-punch killed Luke Francis at Melbourne Crown Casino
A man who burst into tears during police interrogation after killing a beloved tradition with one blow has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Tyson Armstrong, 28, was sentenced to 10 years behind bars for assaulting Luke Francis, 29, in the Melbourne Crown Casino food court, last March.
Armstrong, a father of three, had spoken to Mr. Francis in the playroom for just five seconds before suddenly shoving him from behind.
He then punched Mr. Francis as he walked away, knocking the concrete worker unconscious and rushing him to hospital.
Mr. Francis suffered a cerebral hemorrhage but died days later when taken from life.
Tyson Armstrong (left), 28, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for killing Luke Francis with a cowardly punch in March 2022
In an interview just 12 hours after the incident, Armstrong shivered and sobbed in front of Victorian police officers, telling them he was “so sorry” and “I wish I’d run the fuck away.”
On Friday, Judge Andrew Tinney said Armstrong had “launched a violent, cowardly and unforgivable attack” on an innocent man who had been out with his girlfriend, Tessa Penberthy.
Armstrong pleaded guilty to manslaughter and must serve at least eight years in prison before being eligible for parole.
Outside the Supreme Court, Armstrong’s loved ones shared their frustration at the verdict handed down to his attacker.
Ten years is nothing. He’s getting out at 37 – he’s got a family, he’s got kids, he took that away from Luke, he didn’t get a chance for a family or a future and it just doesn’t hit any walls,” Ms Penberthy said, The Herald Sun reported.
Ms Penberthy said her partner “didn’t want to be a part” of Armstrong’s violence, adding that they were just trying to go home.
Mr Francis’ girlfriend Tessa Penberthy (right) told reporters the 10-year sentence was ‘nothing’
Luke Francis and Tessa Penberthy for the attack that killed him in 2022
Mr Francis’ mother, Michelle Harris, said she hoped Armstrong would receive a 15-year prison sentence.
“Armstrong is just nothing but a coward who likes to hit from behind and that makes me sick, makes me sick,” she said.
Following the incident, Armstrong, who walked away from the crime scene without checking on his unconscious victim, burst into tears when police told him Mr Francis was on a ventilator, claiming he had no recollection of the attack.
“I will never be able to forgive myself if he dies,” Armstrong said at the time.
“I feel selfish for just wanting to see my family, but I just feel like maybe he won’t see anyone out of my hands again, and that’s what I can’t deal with, it’s not okay.”
He said he was “so sorry for him” and didn’t want anyone to get hurt and struggled to remember the attack.
“I don’t remember, I think I just grabbed him… I don’t remember what shirt he was wearing, or what he looked like… I don’t remember throwing a punch,” he said.
But immediately after his arrest, Armstrong also told police that the victim had called him an “asshole” and a “little dog” and invited him outside for a fight.
But the CCTV footage didn’t match his story, and his own lawyer said he “saw what couldn’t be seen.”
Vision released by the Supreme Court revealed the pair had a five-second exchange on the casino floor before Armstrong followed him to the food court.
Armstrong will be eligible for parole in December 2030.
Tyson Armstrong showed an outpouring of remorse after his arrest – trembling and crying for police (pictured) who admitted assaulting the man