The family of slain NSW Police officer Bryson Anderson have called the reduction in his killer’s murder sentence a disgrace.

Mitchell Barbieri was originally handed a minimum 26-year sentence for the stabbing murder of the veteran Sydney officer during a stand-off at his mother’s property at Oakville in the city’s north-west four years ago.

But the Court of Criminal Appeal today quashed the sentence, instead imposing a minimum 15-year term.

Barbieri and his mother, Fiona Barbieri, admitted to killing Mr Anderson during a violent confrontation at their Oakville home in December 2012.

During the original sentencing hearing, the court heard Mitchell Barbieri stabbed Detective Inspector Anderson several times with a 15cm hunting knife as the veteran officer was trying to negotiate with the family.

Mitchell Barbieri was originally sentenced to 35 years in prison with a non-parole period of 26 years after pleading guilty to murder.

Fiona Barbieri, who pled guilty to manslaughter, was sentenced to 10 years in prison with a non-parole period of six years and six months.

By a two-to-one majority, the appeal court found it was wrong to consider Barbieri’s mental illness as secondary to his mother’s mental illness.

‘Beyond belief’: brother

Detective Inspector Anderson’s brother, Warwick Anderson, said the decision was a kick in the guts for his family.

“How any informed member of the community could possibly think that a sentence of 15 years for someone who stabs to death a policeman who turns up to help other people is what the community expects is absolutely beyond belief,” he said.

“This family will continue to pursue this matter right to the end.”

Police Association president Scott Weber said reducing the sentence was “absolutely disgusting”.

“For all police officers across the state we are absolutely devastated but we will not rest,” he said.

“This is not justice, this is not the court system that we want.”

“If someone commits a heinous offence and kills a police officer, what are they going to do to you and your family.”
Police Association president Scott Weber

“We need to appeal this, the [Attorney-General] needs to step up and change this decision. This is disgusting and it is so upsetting at this time of year.”