One-punch killer may serve less than a year

The man who delivered the punch that killed Gary Welhan could be free in 10 weeks after yesterday being sentenced to 22 months in jail.

Aztec Brian Tekuru-Reid, 23, pleaded guilty in Bunbury District Court to one count of unlawful assault resulting in death.

The jail term was backdated to Tekuru-Reid's arrest on November 7, 2014, and he will be eligible for parole halfway through his term - so he could be freed on October 7.

Judge Laurence Levy told Tekuru-Reid he "made a choice" to go back and punch Mr Welhan after exchanging words with the 48-year-old when riding past him on his bicycle on November 2.

The incident happened about 8.25pm on Spencer Street in Bunbury while Mr Welhan was walking his dog.

Judge Levy told the court Tekuru-Reid rode about 30m away before stopping, getting off his bike and running back to Mr Welhan.

He then struck Mr Welhan with a closed fist - causing him to fall and hit his head - before fleeing on his bike.

Mr Welhan died in hospital early the next morning from a fractured skull.

Defence lawyer Peter Ash told the court Tekuru-Reid had no expectation his "slight frame" could deliver a punch of such force.

He said Tekuru-Reid was employed as a carer - which he took great pleasure in and which made his actions even more "ironic and unexplainable".

Judge Levy told the court how Tekuru-Reid "boasted" to a friend later that night that he had "punched a drunk man".

Judge Levy said Tekuru-Reid's failure to render any assistance or check on Mr Welhan's state was the most significant aggravating factor he took into account during sentencing.

But he did take into account Tekuru-Reid's "youth" and fast-track plea of guilty.

He also told the court Tekuru-Reid had a "broken" upbringing marked by "violence and fear".