A judge wiped away tears in court after he told a teenager he would spend more than a decade behind bars after he stabbed another teen to death.
Pasawm Lyhym, 16, ran for his life before he was stabbed twice in the back with a 35cm knife after a fight between two groups of teenagers on May 18, 2023.
Lyhym was unarmed when he was killed near a bus interchange in Sunshine, in Melbourne‘s west.
His killer, who can’t be identified because he was 17 at the time, handed himself in to police 12 days after Lyhym was killed.
In Victoria’s Supreme Court on Friday, Justice Michael Croucher sentenced the 19-year-old to 13 years in prison with a non-parole period of eight years.
Justice Croucher broke down as he told the man he had ‘excellent prospects of rehabilitation’ but highlighted the ‘tragic consequences’ of knife crime.
‘No good can come from carrying weapons like these. It just has to stop,’ he said.
The judge accepted it was not the teen’s intention to kill Lyhym and that his actions were impulsive.
Pasawm Lyhym (pictured) was stabbed to death by a Melbourne bus stop in 2023
Judge Michael Croucher weeped as he talked about the consequences of knife crime
He became emotional and wiped away tears as he read out the statements.
‘He has no previous criminal history. He has the full support of his loving and law-abiding family, as well as from four of his former school teachers, who see great goodness in him,’ he said.
‘In those circumstances, I am satisfied [his] prospects of rehabilitation are excellent.’
Lyhym’s family were also in the courtroom and they too shed tears as their victim impact statements were read out by Justice Croucher.
‘Our home is filled with an unbearable silence, his laughter replaced by tears and heartbreak,’ the family said in their statement.
‘No parent should have to bury his or her child.’
Justice Croucher told the court it was a sad case and that it may have been the boys’ young ages that had made him feel emotional.
The court heard that Lyhym was part of a group of teens who were set upon by another group after school. Two of them had machetes in their bags.
Pasawm Lyhym (pictured) ran for his life before he was stabbed after a fight between two groups of teenagers in 2023
The killer partially hid his face with a ski mask during the attack before he stabbed Lyhym, who tried to use a shopping trolley to defend himself.
Justice Croucher said the teen was too quick for Lyhym as he tried to flee the scene.
‘While they were both still running in the same direction, he lashed out with the knife at Pasawm from behind, stabbing him twice to the back,’ he said.
Justice Croucher said he was moved after seeing videos from Lyhym’s funeral which showed a song written by the boy’s father.
‘I know that there is nothing this court can say or do to salve, let alone heal, the grief and pain suffered by Pasawm’s loved ones,’ he said.
‘The sentence I must pass is not a reflection of the worth of his cherished young life… for a start, such a precious thing is immeasurable.’
The 19-year-old will be sentenced next Friday to give the Adult Parole Board time to consider the Justice Croucher’s recommendation that he serve some of his time in youth detention.
‘In my view, it would be preferable if he could remain in youth detention to complete his formal education and any vocational courses that might be available, Justice Croucher said.
‘In particular, given his impressionability, his callow nature, and the likelihood that he would be subjected to undesirable influences in an adult prison.’
The teen will be eligible for parole in May 2030.
