A man who stabbed a Geelong father to death after he was caught breaking into his car could walk free from jail in just under four years.

There were sobs in the courtroom as Bailey Clifford, 20, was sentenced to a maximum eight years and six months behind bars for the manslaughter of Paul Grapsas.

He was given a non-parole period of five years but he has already served more than a year in pre-sentence detention.

Clifford fatally stabbed Grapsas on September 14, 2023, after the father returned from a late-night walk with his dog.

Grapsas confronted Clifford while the younger man was rummaging through the father’s Mitsubishi, which was parked outside his Geelong home.

During the altercation, Clifford produced a knife and stabbed Grapsas seven times, including a fatal blow to the upper back.

He then stole a wallet and set of keys before leaving the victim to die on the side of the road.

His body was found hours later by his wife Jessica Grapsas, who was six months’ pregnant with their third child.

Supreme Court Justice Rita Incerti described the killing as “cowardly and reckless” as she sentenced Clifford this morning.

But she noted given his young age, acquired brain injury and early guilty plea, a discount on sentence was warranted.