Luke Tipene's killer Vincent Skeen denied parole

Vincent Skeen was sentenced to five years and two months in prison for killing Luke Tipene. Photo...
Vincent Skeen was sentenced to five years and two months in prison for killing Luke Tipene. Photo: NZ Herald

Vincent Skeen has been denied parole six weeks into his five-year prison sentence for the manslaughter of rising teenage rugby league star Luke Tipene.

Skeen (18) was sentenced on August 16 to five years and two months jail for the manslaughter of Tipene in 2014.

The 17-year-old died in the early hours of November 1, 2014 from blood loss after Skeen swung a broken beer bottle in a brawl outside a Halloween party in Grey Lynn.

The jagged bottle hit Tipene in the neck, causing fatal wounds.

Skeen came up for parole on September 23. A decision released by the board today said Skeen would have to complete signficant work before he met the criteria for parole.

Luke Tipene (16) died after being stabbed in the neck with a broken beer bottle. Photo / Facebook
Luke Tipene (16) died after being stabbed in the neck with a broken beer bottle. Photo / Facebook

Prior to the parole hearing, the board met with Tipene's mother, Terry Wilson, who believed Skeen had to be seen as dangerous and a high risk.

Wilson was also concerned there had been no expression of remorse from Skeen and said she and her family would be concerned for their safety if Skeen was released.

The family didn't want Skeen to be released into the Auckland area when he left prison.

The board noted Skeen had said he was sorry for what he had done and the hurt and pain he had put Tipene's family through.

He was motivated to attend Corrections' Drug Treatment Programme and committed to doing what he could to change.

The board requested a psychological assessment of Skeen.

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