Muhammad Dahlan Tahir avoids jail after causing serious injuries to partner Georgina Coventry in crash
A woman was ejected through the window into a Stobie pole after her speeding boyfriend lost control of the car but she begged the court not to jail him.
Police & Courts
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A speeding driver has walked free for causing life threatening injuries to his partner, after she begged the court to give him a merciful sentence.
Muhammad Dahlan Tahir, 25, was told by a judge it was a miracle his partner survived after she was ejected through the window in the horror crash.
During sentencing, the District Court heard Tahir was driving a Holden Commodore on March 8, 2023 at Christies Beach.
His partner, Georgina Coventry was in the front passenger seat.
Tahir failed to navigate a right-hand bend and lost control of the car, crashing into a Stobie pole.
Data from the car’s airbag module revealed Tahir was travelling at 85km/h – 35km/h over the speed limit – 2.5 seconds prior to the collision.
“The victim was ejected from the vehicle through the open passenger side window and collided with the Stobie pole,” Judge Anthony Allen said.
“Regrettably, it is evident that your passenger was not wearing a seatbelt.”
Ms Coventry was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital for her life threatening injuries, including facial and scalp degloving, spinal fractures and subdural haematomas.
The court heard Ms Coventry was referred for treatment for a traumatic brain injury and also lost vision in her left eye.
In her victim impact statement, she said: “I was faced with the very real choice to stay on this side of life, or to leave, as my body sank into darkness in his arms that night”.
“But when our lives were just about to begin, nothing in this entire world, whether it be the end itself, could have stopped me from taking the chance to stay.”
Tahir, of Seaford Rise, pleaded guilty to causing serious harm by dangerous driving.
His blood alcohol reading was determined to be close to 0.13 at the time of the collision.
Ms Coventry said Tahir had shown her “unwavering support” as she relearned to live and walk again.
“His continued presence is crucial to my healing, and I strongly feel a compassionate and fair sentence, suspension of, or dismissal of, would better serve both of us, as we continue navigating this difficult journey together,” she said.
Ms Coventry’s father also provided a character reference for Tahir, stating how remorseful he was and how he often suggests he wishes it was him.
Tahir was sentenced to four years jail, with a non-parole period of two years and two months.
“The consequences of the offending were close to being fatal and in reality, it was nothing short of a miracle that your partner survived,” Judge Allen said.
However, due to Tahir’s remorse, low risk of reoffending and the victim’s plea for a merciful sentence, the sentence was suspended on a $500, three good behaviour bond.
Tahir was also disqualified from driving for 12 years.
“You need to make the most of the opportunity that I have given you to look after the woman that you have hurt so badly,” Judge Allen said.
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