The family of a Logan man who was killed in a "despicable" act of violence have celebrated in court as his attacker was jailed, but say life without him will remain "unimaginably gut wrenching and debilitating".
Harley David Wegener was convicted of the murder of Benjamin Suttie by a Supreme Court jury earlier this week.
On Thursday, the 34-year-old was sentenced to mandatory life in prison.
A Brisbane trial heard in August 2018 Mr Suttie had been walking through a Woodridge park with a group of people including his 19-year-old son, when he happened upon Wegener and several others.
After accusing Mr Suttie, who was known to him, of being "cheeky" when he said "hello", Wegener picked a fight with him, then slashed his throat with a large fishing knife that severed his carotid artery.
Mr Suttie was rushed to hospital and underwent emergency surgeries, but he died three days later.
During a sentencing hearing, the court heard Wegener had a lengthy criminal history including assault and robbery while armed and had been "cautioned about the use of knives" by previous judges.
Crown prosecutor Greg Cummings told the court he had been "persistently reoffending and persistently rejecting all opportunities to rehabilitate".
"He's been given every opportunity since age 18," he said.
Defence lawyer Joseph Briggs told the court his client had experienced "disturbing" circumstances during his childhood including an alcoholic parent who died when he was 17, as well as drinking and taking drugs from an early age, and self-harm attempts.
"He is a man who has been greatly troubled," he said.
"It doesn't excuse his behaviour, but it explains his descent into the life which he has been in."
Son remembers 'my idol, my best friend'
Several victim impact statements from Mr Suttie's family members were read to the court, including one penned by his son Zac Elder who was with his father when he was attacked.
In his statement he said "my dad was an amazing man" and "this shouldn't have happened".
"I have moments of guilt that still stick with me until this day," the statement said.
Mr Elder said Mr Suttie was "my idol, my best friend, the man that raised me" and told Wegener to "rot in hell".
"You may have taken my father's life, but you will never take his voice. His name will live on forever," the statement said.
Mr Suttie's sister Jody Proctor read her statement to the court and described him as the "best big brother" and said she and her other siblings "suffered daily".
"Living without Ben is unimaginably gut wrenching and debilitating," she said.
Mr Suttie's mother Leslie Proctor also read her statement in person telling the court her son's death was "physically and emotionally damaging".
"No parent should ever have to bury their child," she said.
"Our family will never be the same… We are lost souls."
Another son Jayden Suttie, who was just 12 at the time, said the night he lost his father "broke me", while Mr Suttie's partner of more than 20 years, Tina Elder, described him as her "soul mate" and said "I'm slowly dying without him".
Judge condemns knife violence amid calls for 'life for the knife'
When handing down her sentence Justice Melanie Hindman described Wegener's offending as "despicable".
"Your actions were completely excessive and unjustified," she said.
Justice Hindman told Wegener "it was a tragedy which could have so easily been avoided had you made better choices".
She also condemned knife violence, calling it "far too prevalent".
"I can only hope that your sentence sends a strong message to younger persons, particularly young men, of the consequence that can flow from carrying weapons," she said.
"I hope that during your long incarceration you might find your way to understanding for yourself and then teaching others that knives and violence do nothing but destroy lives."
"Seek to improve yourself while you're in prison to salvage your life and try to make amends to your crime."
Outside court Mr Suttie's family echoed the judge's remarks saying it should be "life for the knife".
"If you're going to walk around with a knife in your pocket, you have intent to use that – maybe think again," sister Jody Proctor said.
Wegener has been in custody since his arrest in 2018 and will not be eligible for parole until he has served at least 20 years in jail.
