Ms CARNEY - 2005-10-12
I refer again to the death of seven-year-old Louisa May Turner last month. As you know, the person who caused the accident was a foreign national. He appeared in court only days after the accident, and was convicted, receiving a suspended sentence. Can you please explain why the Director of Public Prosecution’s guidelines were not followed in this case - and I table a copy of the DPP guidelines. Secondly, why it was that the name of the offender did not appear on the court list on the day he went to court? Finally, why no victim impact statements from the family were provided to the magistrate when he heard the matter?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I can only offer some of that information you have requested. However, I will pass on what I am aware of in this particular case. First of all, I certainly share the sentiments of the minister for Police in offering my sympathy to the family. We have been dealing with them through the Victim Support Unit and we know how traumatic, as you would expect, this event has been.
We are certainly aware of the review that the police have carried out and the fact that that is now with the Director of Public Prosecutions. I cannot inform you of the exact process or the actions that were taken in laying the initial charges; I have to get that information for you. My briefings have followed the process through to the DPP in the current review of the case.
As to what guidelines the DPP applied then or now is a matter for the DPP. It would be most improper for me to be asking the DPP how exactly he has followed his guidelines; he is an independent statutory officer. I can also say that the bill that we put through today for future events of this type will certainly redefine the offence of dangerous driving causing death or serious harm. One would certainly hope that that clarifies the way in which charges should proceed.
I will obtain the information for you on those early stages of this because it has only come to me with the review from the police going to the DPP.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I can only offer some of that information you have requested. However, I will pass on what I am aware of in this particular case. First of all, I certainly share the sentiments of the minister for Police in offering my sympathy to the family. We have been dealing with them through the Victim Support Unit and we know how traumatic, as you would expect, this event has been.
We are certainly aware of the review that the police have carried out and the fact that that is now with the Director of Public Prosecutions. I cannot inform you of the exact process or the actions that were taken in laying the initial charges; I have to get that information for you. My briefings have followed the process through to the DPP in the current review of the case.
As to what guidelines the DPP applied then or now is a matter for the DPP. It would be most improper for me to be asking the DPP how exactly he has followed his guidelines; he is an independent statutory officer. I can also say that the bill that we put through today for future events of this type will certainly redefine the offence of dangerous driving causing death or serious harm. One would certainly hope that that clarifies the way in which charges should proceed.
I will obtain the information for you on those early stages of this because it has only come to me with the review from the police going to the DPP.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016