Judge acknowledges anguish of Meli family

A JUDGE remarked on the “anguish and distress” of Christopher Meli’s family as he sentenced the eight young people linked to his killing.

Two were sent to jail, with six others receiving sentences ranging from probation to community service.

Referring to victim impact statements, Mr Justice Colton said they convey “the utter despair that Christopher’s death has caused the family.”

Judge Colton added: “I am conscious that the evidence in this case was insufficient to establish a charge of murder against any of the defendants and this has come as a disappointment to them.

“At the end of the day there is no sentence that I can impose that will cure the tragic loss suffered by Christopher’s family.”

Two of the eight defendants — Caolan Lavery (20) from Belfast Road in Glenavy and 22-year old Lee Smyth, currently in HMP Maghaberry — admitted manslaughter.

Smyth was handed a nineyear sentence, divided equally between custody and licence, by Mr Justice Colton, who said he had “no doubt” he played a “leading role” in the attack.

Noting Smyth carried out a further attack as Mr Meli lay prone, the judge said he accepted Smyth did not intend to cause really serious harm, and he has expressed “genuine” remorse.

Lavery pleaded on the grounds he was a “secondary participant” in the joint enterprise but did not punch or kick Mr Meli in the incident giving rise to his death.

He was handed a five-year sentence — two-and-a-half years in jail and the same on licence.

Stephen McCann (22) from Dundrinne Road in Castlewellan admitted affray on the grounds he was part of the group that ran in the direction of Doc’s Path, but did not assault anyone. He was ordered to carry out 150 hours of community service.

Aaron Stilges (22) from Laurelvale in Crumlin admitted affray linked to the attacks on Mr Meli’s two friends and to assaulting one of them. He was placed on probation for two years.

Gary Lewis (left) from Antrim Road in Belfast also admitted affray in the fighting which led to the attacks on the two friends, and to assaulting one of them. The 21-year-old was handed a combination order of 40 hours community service and two years’ probation.

Daniel McGrath (21) from Thornhill Crescent in Dunmurry admitted affray. He sustained an injury in an earlier incident and was later involved in the fighting which led to an attack on the two friends. He was ordered to carry out 100 hours of community service.

Daniel McManus from Springbank Avenue in Belfast also admitted affray on the grounds he was part of the larger group that initially chased Mr Meli’s smaller group. The 20-year old was “on the periphery of events” and was placed on probation for a year.

Mother-of-two Shannon McIlwaine (21) from Glenalina Crescent admitted affray after accepting she was a member of the larger group which initially went to confront Mr Meli’s group.

She was not involved in any violence and was given a conditional discharge.