The mother of a young father who was stabbed to death by an African refugee while trying to stop a fight has been left disgusted by news his killer could serve less than five years in prison.

The killer, who was 17 at the time of the attack, has a long criminal history and is accused of being one of the Parkville rioters.

He was granted a discount by a judge because he unlawfully spent time at Barwon Prison when the government sent the troublemakers there.

Nathan Gent, 27, was stabbed while trying to defuse a fight at a teenage party in Geelong.

He’s been described as a loving and caring man who was trying to act as a peacemaker when he was brutally killed.

His killer – who cannot be named – was sentenced to eight years in jail, with a minimum of four years and nine months.

The judge said he had a chance of rehabilitation, was intelligent and remorseful.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Nathan’s mother Anne told Neil Mitchell.

“It’s just absurd, inadequate and really demoralising.

“I feel like I’ve failed him.”

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