The father of 23-year-old Sydneysider Jock Palfreeman, who was found guilty of first degree murder and sentenced to 20 years imprisonment by a Bulgarian court, has harshly criticized the verdict and the investigation that preceded it.

“The sentence was delivered following an investigation, marred by a number of procedural violations,” Simon Palfreeman told journalists after the hearing.

The Sydney pathologist flew to Sofia to support his son and made a direct appeal to the court.

The 23-year-old had gone to the aid of a gypsy being assaulted by a group of drunk football fans, Dr. Palfreeman said.

"This is an act that can only be described as heroic," he said.

"While as a parent I would have preferred he stayed safe and out of harm's way, as a human being I am proud a young man tried to help despite such dangerous circumstances."

The emotional appeal came as prosecutors asked for Palfreeman to be given a life sentence if he is convicted and the alleged victim's family called the Australian a "professional killer".

On December 27, 2007, the former St Ignatius Riverview student was on a night out in Sofia when he became involved in a violent confrontation.

How the fight started is a key area of contention, with Palfreeman claiming he went to help gypsies who were being assaulted by a gang of up to 25 drunk football fans.

Surrounded by the men, he said he was forced to produce a knife that he carried because of six previous incidents in which people had pulled knives on him in Bulgaria.

University law student Andrei Monov, 20, the son of a prominent police psychologist, suffered a stab wound and died.

Three others were also injured, including 19-year-old Anton Zahariev, who suffered multiple knife puncture wounds.

The group of local men denied assaulting anyone and said that it was Palfreeman who lashed out at them.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!