Judge jails gentle giant’s killer for nine years over cowardly punch outside Victorian pub

A 42-year-old man who punched and killed a pub patron during a drunken night-out in western Victoria has been sentenced to nine years in prison.

Shane Lucas pleaded guilty to manslaughter over the fatal altercation that killed 39-year-old David Blake at a Creswick pub in November 2019.

A lovable plasterer nicknamed “Tender” due to his gentle nature, Mr Blake died at the scene despite desperate attempts from paramedics and patrons to revive him.

He leaves a family traumatised by his violent demise, grappling with the…