Spencer Shumski, 22, looked straight ahead as Victorian Supreme Court Justice Michael Croucher sentenced him to six years behind bars.

He was given a non-parole period of three years and, with time already served, he could be released as early as May 2026.

Shumski was originally charged with murder over Clint Allen’s death but a jury instead found him guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter.

Allen, 38, was out celebrating his wife’s birthday on the evening of May 6, 2023, when one of his friends was ejected from a Sale pub.

Michael Callow, who has since died, was removed from the venue after allegedly groping women, taking a phone and fighting with other patrons.

Allen and his friends also left and as they were walking away from the pub, Callow clashed with Shumski who was heading to a McDonald’s.

The men had a physical altercation and Shumski pulled out a knife, slashing Callow in the knee.

Allen rushed at Shumski to defend his friend and tried to punch him, but Shumski swung his knife in return and stabbed Allen twice in the chest.

Allen fell to the ground and died at the scene.

Justice Croucher accepted Shumski believed if he did not defend himself, he would have been harmed.

But Shumski should have “turned the other cheek” and walked away instead of producing a knife, Justice Croucher said.

“No good can come from carrying weapons like these – it just has to stop,” he said in sentencing.

Justice Croucher found Shumski appreciated the devastating consequences of his actions but was yet to show full remorse.

But Shumski was still a young man who had good prospects of rehabilitation, the judge said.