26 years for guard's killer

A Supreme Court judge has sentenced a man to 26 years in jail for the murder of a security guard during an armed robbery.

Security guard Jason Gully was shot as he tried to stop an armed robbery at the Freccia Azzura club in the eastern Melbourne suburb of Keysborough in 2004.

The court heard 27-year-old Wally White shot Mr Gully in the head and chest with a high-powered rifle before White and and two other men stole $10,000 from the club.

In sentencing, Justice Simon Whelan told the court White had murdered a man who was simply doing his duty, and was acting honourably and bravely.

Mr Gully's widow, Olive Gully, says her grief has taken over her life.

"My son is actually asking for his dad, I don't know how I'm going to explain that to him," she said.

"It's very hard for a three-year-old."

White had pleaded not guilty to murder and armed robbery.

He will be eligible for parole in 20 years.