Youth Court orders teenager stand trial as an adult over road crash death of University of SA academic Dr Georgina Heath
A teenager will stand trial as an adult over allegations he killed a top University of SA academic while grossly intoxicated, speeding and breaching P-plate rules.
Police & Courts
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A teenager has been ordered to stand trial as an adult over allegations he killed a prominent university academic while driving at 150km/h and almost three times over the alcohol limit.
On Thursday, the Youth Court ruled criminal charges arising from the death of University SA academic Georgina Heath, were so serious as to warrant an adult trial.
That decision means the teenager, who cannot be named under SA law, faces a maximum life sentence if convicted of causing Dr Heath’s death by dangerous driving.
It also exposes him to a sentence that prioritises punishment and community safety, rather than one focused on his “care, correction and guidance”, as do youth penalties.
The teenager, now 18, has yet to plead to one aggravated count of causing Dr Heath’s death by dangerous driving.
He is further charged with one aggravated count of causing serious harm, and three aggravated counts of causing harm, by dangerous driving, relating to others involved in the crash.
Previously, police have alleged the teenager was 17 years old when his Mitsubishi Lancer sedan collided with an SUV on Main South Rd, Hackham, in March last year.
Dr Heath, 51, was a passenger in the SUV and died at the scene – her partner and four other people, including the passenger in the Lancer, were injured.
When police flagged their bid to have the boy tried as an adult, defence counsel argued they were “jacking up” their case.
On Thursday, Magistrate Kate Hodder granted the police’s application for an adult trial.
“I have determined that the youth should be dealt with in the same way as an adult,” she said.
James Caldicott, for the teenager, asked the matter be adjourned for four weeks.
Ms Hodder remanded the youth – who is on bail, but was excused from attending Thursday’s hearing – to face court again later this month.
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