Victim's mother slams sentence
A mother has slammed the sentence handed to a drink-driving P-plater who killed her son after speeding and driving recklessly.
Daniel Clarke was 19 when he rolled his friend's parents' car, killing 17-year-old Jake McAskill in Healesville in the early hours of December 16, 2009.
The victim's mother, Deborah McAskill, slammed Clarke’s sentence of 30 months in a Victorian youth justice centre, insisting it would teach no lessons.
Clarke had been drinking alcohol, and passengers in the car on the night said he had been driving recklessly.
Outside court, an emotional Ms. McAskill told 7NEWS crews: “I don’t think it’s going to scare any child who drinks and drives, and they’re not going to learn a lesson.
“It’s not sending a message at all. I don’t think two years in a juvenile justice system is ever, ever going to make it right.”
Clarke, of Coldstream, pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving causing death.
In the Victorian County Court today, Judge Howard Mason acknowledged Clarke's remorse since the accident.
He said he had good prospects of rehabilitation and ordered he serve 30 months in a youth justice centre.
He said dangerous driving charges were "extremely serious" and the accident had had a devastating impact on Mr McAskill's family.
"The family's grief is extreme, the loss incomprehensible and profound," Judge Mason said.
"A beautiful young life has been lost and the emotional consequences will be long lasting."
