A Melbourne man who killed a university researcher in a racially motivated gang assault last year has been jailed for 15 years.

John Caratozzolo, 21, of Melton South told his group of friends he wanted to get a mobile phone from an Indian student, because they had better phones.

They then attacked 41-year-old Dr Zhongjun Cao, who they took to be of Indian descent, although he was actually Chinese.

The court heard Caratozzolo and a group of six others set upon Dr Cao as he walked home from his work at Victoria University, Footscray, last January. Dr Cao fell to the ground before a laughing Caratozzolo kicked him in the head with enough force to damage his own foot.

Sentencing Caratozzolo in the Supreme Court this morning, Justice David Harper said racially motivated attacks had no place in a multicultural society like Australia, which celebrated its diversity.

Justice Harper said Caratozzolo’s attack was ‘‘intended to inflict as much gratuitous pain to increase pleasure’’ and his actions had increased everyone’s fear.

‘‘Everyone in this city, state and this country — visitors, students, residents, everyone — whatever race or gender or beliefs, has the right to walk its streets without fear,’’ he said.

‘‘This is a fundamental right that all of us are entitled to take for granted.’’

Justice Harper said a second assault by Caratozzolo on another victim that night was also racist; saying Caratozzolo had learnt to swear at Indians in Hindi and learnt words and phrases ‘‘designed to cause maximum offence’’.

Caratozzolo will be eligible for parole in 10 years and has already served 549 days in custody.