Parents 'at peace' with son's killer
THE parents of a teenager killed in a car accident three years ago are at peace with the man responsible and don't want him jailed, a court has heard.
THE parents of a teenager killed in a car accident three years ago are at peace with the man responsible and don't want him jailed, a court has heard.
"Laid back" and well-loved teenager, Nick Holbrook, 18, died as a passenger in a speeding car driven by his mate Phillip Michael Wright on West Lakes Blvd in 2009.
Wright, 21, has pleaded guilty to causing Nick's death by his dangerous driving - which almost reached speeds of 100km/h in a 60km/h zone.
In sentencing submissions today Nick's mother, Glynis Holbrook, asked the court spare Wright a jail term.
"On that night you (Wright) let him down, your senseless actions took his life," Ms Holbrook said.
"(But) I know you're not a bad person.... I know the remorse you feel is genuine.
"I thank you for your guilty plea. I don't wish for a jail term and I want the court to know I've made peace with you."
Ms Holbrook said her son's death fell on her parents' 60th wedding anniversary, which she said was now riddled with sadness.
"It's now overshadowed by the anniversary of their loss," she said.
Nick's father, Michael Holbrook, echoed his wife's compassion.
"I know you and I believe you are of good character and your guilty plea confirms that in my eyes," he said.
"(My son) would be the last to hold any malice towards anybody and I will take a leaf out of his book."
Mr Holbrook said he had told people "hate" had not been a part of his grieving, but conceded today that it had been.
"I hate seeing the sparkle in my wife's eyes replaced by sadness, I hate the cynic I've become, I hate crying," he said.
However, he said despite Wright's "momentary act of madness", he too was at peace with him.
"Despite what I've said I have found a way to forgive you," he said.
"My forgiveness for you is so important in dealing with this."
As the victim impact statements were read Wright cried from the dock.
There were also tears from Wright's supporters and Mr and Ms Holbrook from the public gallery.
Anthony Allen, for Wright, said his client's remorse was unquestionable.
"The cause of the collision is simply this, Phillip Wright was driving too fast," he said.
Mr Allen described the scene of the crash, explaining moments after the collision Wright was running around the car screaming as he tried to free his friend.
"(He said) `Look what I've done to my best mate'," he said.
Mr Allen asked the court show his client mercy.
Brian Nitschke, prosecuting, said although speed was involved, Wright was not drag racing at the time of the crash.
"The Crown accepts that the offending was not at a time when there was any drag racing or racing involved, (but) there may have been some movement from the lights quickly," he said.
"This is dangerous driving by the very nature of the speed.
"It's trite to say causing death by dangerous driving is a particularly serious offence because it involved the taking of a human life.
"Holding a licence is a privilege and it doesn't allow the holder of such a licence to use the road as a playground."
Wright will be sentenced next month.
Nick's friend Jeffrey James Smith, who drove another car nearby, was also charged over the incident but was acquitted of causing death by dangerous driving.