VIC:Jail term won't scare teens: grieving mum

AAP General News (Australia)
04-18-2011
VIC:Jail term won't scare teens: grieving mum

By Belinda Merhab

MELBOURNE, April 18 AAP - A mother whose son was killed by a drink-driving P-plater
says the 30-month sentence imposed on the offender is not tough enough and won't deter
others from drink-driving.

Daniel Clarke was 19 when he hit a gutter and rolled a friend's parents' Range Rover
at least four times in the early hours of December 16, 2009, in Healesville, northeast
of Melbourne.

His passenger and friend, Jake McAskill, 17, was thrown from the vehicle and died the next day.

Clarke had been drinking beer and whisky in the hours before the crash.

One of his friends had refused to get into the car with him that night, telling him
he was too drunk to drive and urging his three other passengers to get out.

The other passengers later told police that Clarke had been speeding and driving recklessly
before the crash.

A breath test showed his blood alcohol content was 0.043.

Clarke, of Coldstream, pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving causing death.

In the Victorian County Court on Monday, Judge Howard Mason sentenced Clarke to serve
30 months in a youth justice centre.

He took into account Clarke's youth, lack of prior convictions, previous good character,
remorse and excellent prospects of rehabilitation.

Mr McAskill's mother, Deborah, told reporters outside court that the sentence was not
enough to teach Clarke a lesson or get the message through to other teenagers.

"I just don't think that this sentence is going to scare any child who drinks and drives,"

she said.

"It's not sending a message at all, and I don't think two years in the juvenile justice
system is ever, ever, going to make it right."

In sentencing Clarke, Judge Mason said the offence was "extremely serious" and had
had a devastating impact on the McAskill 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."

AAP bm/gfr/jl

KEYWORD: CLARKE WRAP

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