Occurred: 8 November 2010
Sentenced: 15 August 2011
Where: Outside Pakenham McDonalds (Princes Highway, Pakenham)
Convicted: RPJ (unidentified minor)
Victim: Cameron Lowe
What happened?
On 6 November around 12am on a Saturday night, Cameron, his two brothers and some friends went to Hungry Jacks, before walking over to McDonalds nearby. They were denied service at McDonalds because they went through the drive-through on foot.
RPJ was on a party bus which stopped off at McDonalds. He had consumed 15 Pulse vodka energy drinks. As he got off the bus he said he wanted a fight, and his mates told him not to be silly. Nevertheless, he encountered Cameron's group outside McDonalds and there was a bit of back and forth. Cameron commented sarcastically that he was a drug dealer and asked RPJ not to speak to him. RPJ then punched Cameron in the side of his jaw and knocked him unconscious.
Cameron was assisted by his brothers and went home. The next morning no one was able to wake him. He was taken to hospital but on 8 November had life support switched off due to no signs of brain activity.
Cameron's background
Cameron was 17 years old when he died. He was a former student of Drouin Secondary College. After his death his parents donated his organs, which have gone on to save the lives of others. His family have been devastated by his loss. A Facebook tribute page was set up to honour Cameron's death, which subsequently attracted negative and hurtful comments by trolls.
RPJ's background
RPJ was 17 years old at the time of the attack. He left school in Year 8 and completed an apprenticeship as a floor tiler. He has had no previous convictions. A week before killing Cameron, he attended a party where he saw someone he didn't like and announced "I want to hit that kid with the red hair" and later punched the red-haired boy unconscious.
Outcome of trial: There was no trial because RPJ pleaded guilty.
Sentence: Six and a half years imprisonment (nine years max), having served two days already in custody.
You can read the judgment here and media coverage here and here.
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