A BURNIE man who tried to murder his two sons in a gas explosion has had his minimum sentence reduced on appeal. Paul Brian Edward Connelly, 51, attempted to kill the boys by blowing up the family car with two LPG gas bottles as they sat inside it in December 2012. The car was engulfed in fierce flames, but because a window or door was partly open, the three managed to escape. The boys suffered burns through every layer of their skin to almost 30 per cent of their bodies, and were left with serious psychological scarring. Connelly was found guilty of two counts of attempted murder. Chief Justice Alan Blow sentenced him to 20 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 15 years. Connelly later appealed against both sanctions, arguing his punishment was exceptionally heavy and disproportionate to his offending. His lawyer argued the sentence was much harsher than any other sentence imposed in Tasmania for similar crimes, with a far heavier non-parole period. Justices Stephen Estcourt and Shan Tennent both agreed to cut three years from Connelly's non-parole period. Justice Estcourt said despite Connelly's "almost complete lack of remorse", he had no prior convictions and was unlikely to reoffend, given the crimes were directly related to his family circumstances. "Although the head sentence has not been shown to be manifestly excessive, the non-parole period makes it so," Justice Estcourt said. "To my mind the non-parole period of 15 years cannot be justified on the basis of the nature of the offending alone." Justice Helen Wood dissented, saying she would have rejected his appeal. Justice Wood said Connelly had deliberately tried to kill his vulnerable children in a premeditated, vindictive bid to inflict anguish and trauma upon his wife. She said Connelly had also risked gravely harming those who tried to save the victims' lives. While his non-parole period was cut, Connelly failed to have his 20-year maximum sentence reduced.
A BURNIE man who tried to murder his two sons in a gas explosion has had his minimum sentence reduced on appeal.
Paul Brian Edward Connelly, 51, attempted to kill the boys by blowing up the family car with two LPG gas bottles as they sat inside it in December 2012.
The car was engulfed in fierce flames, but because a window or door was partly open, the three managed to escape.
The boys suffered burns through every layer of their skin to almost 30 per cent of their bodies, and were left with serious psychological scarring.
Connelly was found guilty of two counts of attempted murder.
Chief Justice Alan Blow sentenced him to 20 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 15 years.
Connelly later appealed against both sanctions, arguing his punishment was exceptionally heavy and disproportionate to his offending.
His lawyer argued the sentence was much harsher than any other sentence imposed in Tasmania for similar crimes, with a far heavier non-parole period.
Justices Stephen Estcourt and Shan Tennent both agreed to cut three years from Connelly's non-parole period.
Justice Estcourt said despite Connelly's "almost complete lack of remorse", he had no prior convictions and was unlikely to reoffend, given the crimes were directly related to his family circumstances.
"Although the head sentence has not been shown to be manifestly excessive, the non-parole period makes it so," Justice Estcourt said.
"To my mind the non-parole period of 15 years cannot be justified on the basis of the nature of the offending alone."
Justice Helen Wood dissented, saying she would have rejected his appeal.
Justice Wood said Connelly had deliberately tried to kill his vulnerable children in a premeditated, vindictive bid to inflict anguish and trauma upon his wife.
She said Connelly had also risked gravely harming those who tried to save the victims' lives.
While his non-parole period was cut, Connelly failed to have his 20-year maximum sentence reduced.
