Hit-run victim Jeph Ko forgives James Michael Watts and Kieran Callaghan-Wight as they begin minimum four-year jail terms

He was robbed, dragged under a car for 60m and had to endure a painful rehabilitation – but this artist has forgiven his assailants in a remarkable display of grace and philosophical thought.

Norwood hit-run victim Jeph Ko outside the District Court after the men who harmed him were jailed for four years. Picture: Sean Fewster.

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When two men grabbed his laptop and attempted to flee in a car, artist Jeph Ko gave chase and held on to its bumper – only to be dragged 60m under the vehicle.

On Monday, minutes after his assailants were sentenced to four years’ jail, the artist and library worker was finally able to let go of his trauma and move on with his life.

“I’m not dead, and that’s the big thing for me,” he told The Advertiser outside the District Court.

“Since the incident I’ve been making a lot of changes, doing things in different ways, to make my life a little better – and I wish them the same opportunity.

“Today would have been a lot worse for them if I was not here, and I hope they take that into their consideration in the future.”

James Watts has been jailed for more than four years over the incident. Picture: Supplied.

In July 2016, Mr Ko’s laptop was snatched by James Michael Watts, 31, outside a Norwood cafe – he fled in a car driven by Kieran Callaghan-Wight, 27.

Mr Ko tried to stop them, and heard one say “let’s go, let’s go” just before the vehicle reversed over him, trapping him beneath its undercarriage.

He was dragged for more than 60m before he was dislodged, leaving him with multiple injuries requiring a seven-week hospital stay, months of rehabilitation and ongoing pain.

In sentencing on Monday, Judge Rauf Soulio said Watts and Callaghan-White had both been diagnosed with ADHD as children, and become drug-using repeat offenders as adults.

“I accept you did not intend to cause harm to Mr Ko but, against that, you had the opportunity to cease driving once it became apparent he was under the car,” he said.

“This had disastrous and far-reaching consequences for all involved.”

He accepted the duo’s expressions of remorse were genuine, but praised Mr Ko’s victim impact statement, in December, in which he formally forgave them.

The sentencing judge praised Mr Ko’s grace in forgiving his assailants. Picture: Sean Fewster.

“Mr Ko has expressed what might be described as remarkable grace in his approach to the offending against him,” he said.

“It’s a remarkable expression of grace and a philosophical attitude toward what must have been terrifying events.”

Judge Soulio jailed Watts for four years and four months with a two-year, eight-month non-parole period.

Watts will be eligible for parole in March, given the time he has already served.

Callaghan-White was jailed for four-and-a-half years, added to his existing sentences for other crimes, meaning he cannot seek release until October 2020.

Outside court, Mr Ko said the sentences were fair.

“Forgiveness was probably as much for my benefit as well as theirs,” he said.

“I personally don’t think being angry is the best way to make change, or for me to move on.”