A 17-year-old has been sentenced to three years jail after he pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of 18-year-old Levi Haami in Christchurch.

Levi died on December 5, 2021, after he was punched by the teenager at the Countdown car park on Moorhouse Avenue.

The teenager pleaded guilty to manslaughter after the charge was downgraded from murder, in the High Court at Christchurch in May.

He was sentenced today.

Detective Inspector Joel Syme after the sentencing said “I would like to acknowledge the immense impact this tragedy has had on the whanau involved with this incident.

This was a senseless act of violence and our thoughts are with Levi’s whanau and friends today as they continue to mourn his life.

Their lives have been changed forever.

Nothing will ease the pain of what has occurred, but it is my hope that today’s sentencing will bring some level of comfort for his loved ones.”

In a statement released by police Levi’s family said “we are committed to seeking change so that this type of offending has a higher recognition in the justice system.

We ask for privacy at this time so we can grieve and do not wish to be contacted further by media.”