Man sentenced to nine years in prison for manslaughter

A man on parole for firearms offenses after shooting dead another man in social housing will spend the next five years behind bars.

Michael Rae, 39, was on parole when he shot Wesley Prentice at a unit on Darby Street in Newcastle in July 2021.

The two men were in a verbal confrontation which escalated into a physical altercation when Rae fired a single shot at Mr Prentice over an apparent dispute over a drug debt.

Rae and his partner fled the scene before being arrested in Bonny Hills, south of Port Macquarie, 10 days after the shooting.

Judge Natalie Adams sentenced Rae to a maximum of nine years' imprisonment for manslaughter, with a non-parole period of five years and six months at Newcastle Crown Court on Thursday.

Rae's history of drugs and alcohol, her bipolar diagnosis, her remorse over the shooting and her troubled childhood were taken into account by the judge.

“I wish to express my sincerest apologies…no words can ever ease the pain of losing loved ones,” Judge Adams quoted Rae's letter to the court.

“I hope that somehow these words of sorry and regret will heal the family.”

Mr Prentice's sister, Alesha Prentice, earlier told the court that her younger brother was “someone with a big heart”.

Judge Adams told the court that although the death of Ms Prentice's brother marked the start of a “upset” life, she sought to forgive Rae.

“It was important for her to forgive the offender so she could move on,” she said.

The judge said she was optimistic that Rae would be rehabilitated if he could stay sober.

Rae has been in custody since his arrest in July 2021 and will be eligible for parole in April 2029.