MORE than two years have passed since a speeding driver killed 26-year-old Damian Cooper in a hit and run in Lygon St, Carlton.

Lynette and Mark Cooper have kept their son’s clothes and even his toothbrush.
 
And Damian’s dog, Zap, still sits at the front gate of the family’s Thornbury home, waiting for his
 master.

On Thursday Damian’s killer, Om Paranort, 25, of East Brunswick, was sentenced to three years
 
and nine months’ jail for dangerous driving causing Damian’s death, failing to stop and failing to
 
render assistance.
 
But after almost two years in custody already, he could be free in seven months.

“I wake each morning and Damian’s not there ... I miss him so much,” said Lynette after
 
Paranort’s sentencing.
 

Damian’s sister Mel, said she, her older brother Daniel and her parents were appalled at the

leniency of the sentence, particularly since Paranort was caught twice in 2006 for driving while his

licence was suspended and drink-driving.

“This sentence is just a joke ... justice hasn’t been served ... I’ve lost my brother who was my
 
best friend and this guy, who didn’t even have a licence when he killed Damian, is just going to
 
walk out in a few months,” Mel said.
 

“It breaks my heart when I meet strangers for the first time or friends I haven’t seen in ages and
 
they ask how many brothers do you have? Do I say two? I had two brothers once.”

Ms Cooper said exhaustion since Damian’s death forced her to give up her full-time job as a
 
cashier-receptionist.

Damian’s father Mark has channelled some of his heartbreak into campaigning for lower speed
 
limits and has successfully lobbied for 40km/h speed zones in Station St, Fairfield, and Lygon St.
 

His said he had hoped the law would give the family some satisfaction but since this hasn’t
 
happened, he would campaign for the Office of Public Prosecutions to appeal to increase the

sentence.