A drunk and drugged driver who killed four children after mowing them down on a Sydney footpath has been jailed for at least 21 years.
Samuel William Davidson was driving erratically and speeding when he struck Veronique Sakr, 11, and her cousins, Sienna Abdallah, eight, and her siblings Angelina, 12, and Antony, 13.
The children had been walking to buy ice-creams when the 31-year-old ploughed into them after his ute mounted a kerb at Oatlands, in Sydney’s northwest on February 1 last year.
Judge James Bennett sentenced Davidson in Parramatta’s District Court on Friday saying the menacing, dangerous and aggressive driving sustained over a significant period leading up to the tragic event showed all responsibility to the road safety of others was abandoned.
The tragedy was inevitable, but the magnitude of the tragedy extended to the unimaginable, Judge Bennett said.
Davidson was sentenced to a maximum term in prison of 28 years.
Immediately after Samuel William Davidson mowed down a group of children on a Sydney footpath, killing four of them, he was resigned to being jailed
Davidson, a professional truck driver, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Veronique Sakr, 11, and her cousins, Sienna Abdallah, eight, and her siblings Angelina, 12, and Antony, 13
Danny Abdallah (left) and Leila Abdallah arrive at Parramatta District Court for Davidson’s sentencing
Danny Abdallah (right) said he forgave Davidson ‘for your sake, for my sake, and most importantly for my family’s sake’ in a victim impact statement the court heard in March
The professional truck driver was afforded a 25 per cent discount on sentence after pleading guilty to manslaughter for the children he killed and also pleading guilty to three charges relating to the injuries caused to three other children.
One boy has suffered permanent brain damage.
Davidson had been sitting poolside with his housemates drinking Vodka Cruisers and beers, having his first drink about 7am before consuming drugs and driving on February 1.
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He was observed by witnesses speeding through a red light, swerving anti-clockwise around a round-about, and driving at a maximum speed of 133km/h in a 50km/h zone.
After the crash, Davidson appeared distressed and was heard saying: ‘What have I done? … I have killed people … I am going to jail.’
Judge Bennett acknowledged Davidson suffered from ADHD but did not accept impulsivity that day caused him to drive, seen in his consciousness of guilt immediately after the crash.
Bridget Sakr (centre) and Craig Mackenzie (right) arrive at Parramatta District Court for Davidson’s sentencing
In a statement Leila Abdallah (pictured) said she, her husband and the parents of Veronique had forgiven Davidson, referring to their Christian faith and their hope he will find God and repent
Danny Abdullah, the father of three of the children killed, said no sentence can ease the broken-hearted pain he feels forever.
But Danny Abdallah’s main disappointment lies in the way our culture loves drugs and alcohol, he said.
‘That’s where my frustration is, more than the driver.’
Mr Abdallah thanked Prime Minister Scott Morrison, his wife Jenny, and Premier Gladys Berejiklian for their ongoing support throughout the grieving months, and acknowledged Davidson’s parents had also lost a child on Friday.
Judge Bennett acknowledged Davidson suffered from ADHD but did not accept impulsivity that day caused him to drive, seen in his consciousness of guilt immediately after the crash.
Davidson’s letter of apology stated that he is heartbroken to have hurt such beautiful families by his horrid actions and that he would do anything to relive that day sober and never leaving the house.
Leila Abdallah (pictured) lost three of her six children in horrific circumstances and told Davidson in court in March: ‘You’ve killed us all. I’m no longer living. Just existing.’
After the crash, Davidson appeared distressed and was heard saying: ‘What have I done? … I have killed people … I am going to jail.’
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