Yesterday, about 20 of his family and friends were in the High Court at Christchurch as Thomas Tihema Christie (26) was sentenced to six years' jail for his manslaughter and for indecently assaulting the then 16-year-old.
The former Dunedin boy's near-naked body was found in Auburn Reserve, Upper Riccarton, in February 2008.
His father, Martin Finnerty, of Dunedin, said when contacted yesterday the sentence was not long enough.
"I wanted a bit more.
"We pretty much figured it would be in that region, but he has had convictions for similar offences before.
"We thought this time they would have nailed him."
Nine victim impact statements were read to the court.
Mr Finnerty said in his victim impact statement read to the court: "Please help the street kids by taking an evil monster off the streets for a long, long time."
Justice Panckhurst noted that Christie had written a letter to his victim's family, but he had been unable to see any obvious signs of remorse in him during the trial.
Ngaire Finnerty, who had been Shaun's stepmother since he was about 6 years old, said the family did not accept Christie's remorse.
"It is all a little too late," she said.
Mrs Finnerty said her husband would finally be able to return to normal passions such as fishing, the death and the trial having consumed him for more than a year and a-half.
Mr Finnerty had attended every day of the trial, carrying his son's ashes with him.
Justice Graham Panckhurst said it was clear from the evidence that members of Christie's group had seen Mr Finnerty-Gallagher, who was young and had a slight build, as being "fair game".
He had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and had repeatedly run away from home and social welfare and fallen in with the group.
On the night of his death, Christie had taken him on an alcohol raid at a liquor store, and had later sent him to steal petrol.
He broke his nose with a backhander at the park when he failed.
The court heard how Christie got street kids to steal for him and kept them in line with threats and violence.
Christie's criminal record also emerged at the sentencing.
His long list of convictions included disorder and minor dishonesty but also two robberies in 2004, an assault in 2005 and another robbery in 2006.
While working as a security guard at an internet cafe in 2006, Christie demanded clothing and boots from a 16-year-old, then punched him in the face and threatened to kill him if he went to police.
He was sentenced to 15 months' prison in September 2006 for that offence and was released from prison in April 2007.
Ray Martin, Martin Finnerty's cousin, was also in court.
He said it seemed wrong that because Christie had already been in prison for more than a year, he could be out in less than two years.
"Where is the justice?" he said.
