Father jailed for dune buggy death
A father who killed his nine-year-old daughter on a joyride in his new dune buggy has been jailed for three years.
Sophie Stephens's mother broke down outside court while paying tribute to her little girl today, before slamming the sentence handed to her daughter’s father.
Ricky Stephens pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of his daughter at his Yarra Glen property.
Mr Stephens was doing a burn-out in the buggy on the day of the September 2013 incident. His step-son, Cameron was in the passenger seat and Sophie was between the 11 year old's legs, not wearing a seat-belt.
When Mr Stephens accelerated over a hill in his paddock the vehicle flipped, Sophie was thrown from it and died at the scene.
He'll spend up to three years and nine months behind bars.
