Rohan Dennis faces court for the first time charged with causing the death of wife Melissa Hoskins
One of Australia’s top sportsmen charged over the death of his wife in a plush Adelaide suburb has faced court for the first time. See what happened.
Police & Courts
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One of Australia’s top sportsmen who allegedly killed his Olympian wife while driving a luxury car outside their affluent Adelaide home has faced court for the first time.
Rohan Craig Dennis appeared in Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning on charges relating to the death of his wife, Melissa Hoskins, 32, on December 30.
The mother-of-two died on December 30 after the family’s dark grey 2022 Volkswagen Amarok Highline V6 ute struck her on Avenel Gardens Rd, Medindie.
Police prosecutor Caroline Batten told the court they required seven months to determine the final charges against Dennis, which included time for major crash reconstruction.
Rohan Dennis faces court for the first time charged with causing the death of wife Melissa Hoskins
Magistrate Simon Smart questioned Ms Battern on why they needed seven months.
“Is work underway?” he asked, to which Ms Batten replied that she didn’t know for sure but imagined it was.
Dennis’ counsel, Jessica Kurtzer, said she didn’t oppose the adjournment and asked to remove her client’s reporting condition, which wasn’t opposed by prosecution.
This was granted by Mr Smart, meaning Dennis will no longer have to report weekly to a police station.
Dennis stood silently as he listened from the dock during the short court hearing and did not address the media as he left the court.
Major Crash police have charged Dennis, a former world champion cyclist and Olympian with killing her.
The Advertiser understands police will allege Hoskins, also a retired professional cyclist and Olympian, jumped onto the car bonnet and then grabbed at a door handle.
Cycling champion Rohan Dennis has arrived at court for his first appearance, after being charged over the death of his wife Melissa. @7NewsAdelaidepic.twitter.com/5xrPK64EdZ
— Hannah Foord (@HannahFoord7) March 12, 2024
Officers will allege Dennis, a dual world champion who retired from his 16-year cycling career last year, continued to drive the 4WD until she fell to the ground.
Detectives believe she may have been dragged some distance along the leafy street, which is located in one of the state’s most expensive suburbs in Adelaide’s inner north.
It is believed some of the incident was caught on neighbours’ security cameras.
Hoskins, originally from Perth, later died in the Royal Adelaide Hospital from catastrophic injuries.
Dennis was charged with causing her death by dangerous driving.
Court documents sighted by the Advertiser allege Dennis drove “recklessly or at a speed or in a manner which was dangerous to any person”.
“And by that culpable negligence, recklessness or other conduct, caused the death of Melissa Marie Dennis,” the document states.
He has remained on bail since being charged.
He has yet to plead to the charges, but if found guilty he faces a maximum 15-year prison term and mandatory minimum 10-year licence disqualification.
Dennis is also charged with aggravated driving without care, which has a significantly less maximum penalty of 12 months’ jail and a six-month disqualification if found guilty.
At the time authorities seized Dennis’ $70,000 vehicle, which he is believed to have bought a year ago.
Dennis will next face court in August.
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