Men who shot innocent father at child's birthday party jailed for six years
Two men who shot dead an innocent father at a children’s birthday party could be free from jail in four years.
Three men, including Ozan Yusuf and Ogu-zhan Gurkan went into the Melbourne property armed with a shotgun and petrol.
They had been instructed to help settle a dispute that the third man had with the owner of the home.
What the didn’t know was that people had gathered at the home for a child’s birthday party and Ben Monteath was simply there to pick up his friend.
The 39-year-old was gunned down outside the Epping home in May 2014.
The tragic mistake meant Lynne Monteath lost her son in a violent shooting.
Mrs Monteath was also left with the task of caring for her two young grandchildren, who were left without their father.
"Ben was an amazing young man and an even more amazing father. He left behind two little boys."
She had a strong message for the men who killed her son.
“I pray that they never endure the pain they've inflicted on my family,” she said.
Mr Monteath had nothing to do with the original dispute which sparked the violence.
In court the judge criticised the men for blindly following their friend who was out to seek revenge.
Both pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
Yusuf was sentenced to six years in prison, and Gurkan jailed for six and a half years.
But with time already served behind bars, the pair could be out of prison in less than four years.
