A 13-year-old boy, who cannot be named, has been sentenced to six years in detention after admitting to speeding over 200 km/h on a highway near Maryborough, resulting in a tragic crash that claimed the lives of Michale Chandler (29), Kelsie Davies (17), and Sheree Robertson (52). He will be required to serve 60% of his sentence in custody.
The Attorney-General, Deb Frecklington, sought to appeal the sentence, considering it “manifestly inadequate” and arguing that the teenager should have received the maximum seven-year punishment available at the time. However, following two weeks of deliberation, an appeal court comprised of three judges rejected the appeal, concluding that the six-year term was both “significant” and “appropriate,” taking into account the boy’s young age, his guilty plea, absence of a prior criminal record, and positive participation in rehabilitation programs while detained.
Families of the deceased were notably absent during the appeal proceedings, and victims’ advocate Lyndy Atkinson expressed her disappointment and frustration with the decision. She emphasised the profound impact of the tragedy, stating that the victims’ absence underscored their awareness of the lack of any meaningful change following the crash. Atkinson asserted that the sentence does not align with community expectations, pointing out that the boy would be released by the time he turns 16, having effectively destroyed three lives and profoundly affected their families.