Victim impact statements over death of Melissa Hoskins as Rohan Dennis faces sentencing submissions

The father of former Olympic cyclist Melissa Hoskins has told the court he cannot forgive Rohan Dennis after the death of his daughter, while her sister says he has played the victim.

The father of Olympic cyclist Melissa Hoskins has told a court he doesn’t think he can forgive Rohan Dennis after the death of his daughter.

Rohan Craig Dennis, 44, was confronted by three members of Ms Hoskins’ family in the District Court on Monday, hearing he has shown “no remorse” for his offending.

Ms Hoskins’ father, Peter Hoskins told the court his daughter loved her life as an elite athlete and chasing dreams.

“Put simply, Melissa just loved living,” he said.

“Melissa did not deserve to die and she certainly did not deserve the death that she suffered.

“Can I forgive you for the abandonment of your responsibilities as a husband and father on December 30?

“I doubt I can do that … given what you have taken from me and my family.”

Ms Hoskins’ sister, Jessica Locke told the court she still has nightmares about the night she was told of her sister’s death by police.

She said Dennis had shown no remorse for the death of her “best friend”.

“Neither myself or my family or friends have received any kind of apology from Rohan for his actions on that night that resulted in my sister, Melissa’s death,” she said.

“If anything, Rohan’s actions since that night … suggest that he perceived himself as a victim of the situation.

“That he behaves like this overwhelms me with sadness and anger.”

Dennis earlier pleaded guilty to aggravated creating likelihood of harm.

The charges of causing death by dangerous driving and aggravated driving without due care were dropped as a result.

The couple developed the foundations of a relationship during their time together competing at the 2012 London Olympics. Picture: Social Media.

Rohan Dennis and Melissa Hoskins.

Ms Hoskins’ mother, Amanda Hoskins told the court her daughter’s death had devastated her and her family.

“She didn’t deserve this for all the things she did, she always put her family first,” she said.

“It’s more than 16 months and as a mother I grieve for her everyday.”

Ms Hoskins said she knows Dennis would never intentionally hurt her daughter.

“I believe this was a tragic accident and an accident that should never have happened,” she said.

“Your temper is your downfall and needs to be addressed.”

The mother-of-two died on December 30, 2023 after the family’s dark grey 2022 Volkswagen Amarok Highline V6 ute struck her on Avenel Gardens Rd, Medindie.

Tali Costi, prosecuting, told the court Dennis’ offending related to the conduct where he initially accelerated in circumstances in which he knew Ms Hoskins was very close to the car.
“It is the continuing act driving down Medindie Lane when Ms Dennis was positioned on the bonnet of the vehicle to the point when she had come off the bonnet but was standing very close to the vehicle,” she said.

“He did not know or was reckless to the fact she was holding onto the vehicle.”

The court heard Dennis estimated he was travelling at about 20km/h, with CCTV footage showing Ms Hoskins was on the bonnet for approximately six seconds.

It is not alleged Dennis caused her death.

Melissa Hoskins and Rohan Dennis on their wedding day. Picture: Social Media

Rohan Dennis and Melissa Hoskins. Photo: Social Media

Dennis, a dual world champion who retired from his 16-year cycling career in 2023, continued to drive the 4WD until Ms Hoskins fell to the ground.

Police alleged she was dragged some distance along the leafy street, which is located in one of the state’s most expensive suburbs in Adelaide’s inner north.

Ms Hoskins, originally from Perth, later died in the Royal Adelaide Hospital from catastrophic injuries.

Jane Abbey KC, for Dennis, told the court her client constantly replayed the day of the offending and recognised his responsibility.

Ms Abbey told the court on the day of the offending Dennis and Ms Hoskins had a disagreement about how further work needed to be done on cupboards in their new kitchen, and Dennis was disappointed more money would have to be spent.

“These two people were two people who had reached the top of their sport at a world level,” she said.

“It’s perhaps is not surprising that neither of them was likely, in the heat of the moment, to concede.”

Ms Abbey said the couple had an agreed strategy where Dennis would remove himself from the situation when “emotions ran hot”.

However, she said Ms Hoskins had not wanted Dennis to leave on this occasion but Dennis was “following his rule”.

“It all happened very, very quickly,” she said.

“He put his foot down … And there’s about a second, just over, in which it can be seen that Mrs Dennis ran alongside the car.

“He describes to police hearing a noise. That noise it would seem was her jumping onto the car, or attempting to jump onto the car, and one can see that shortly after that noise, and allowing for some response time, the brake lights show.”

Ms Abbey said Dennis had not realised Ms Hoskins was on, or near the car, until coming out of the vehicle and seeing her on the road.

She pushed for a suspended sentence for Dennis, which was not opposed by prosecution, due to the fact he was the sole carer of their children and there was no intent behind his actions.

Judge Ian Press will sentence Dennis next month.