Anthony Vincent Dennis sentenced for negligent driving after fatal crash that killed Sydney Thomas Moore

A court has heard of the “great despair” of family members after the tragic loss of a 71-year-old grandfather, as the driver responsible for the fatal crash learnt his fate.

A man has avoided time behind bars after he caused a crash that killed a rider who was ejected and flung 10 metres from his motorcycle.

Anthony Vincent Dennis, 54, fronted Picton Local Court on Thursday for sentencing after he pleaded guilty to negligent driving occasioning death.

Court documents said that about 12.55pm on December 14, 2021 Dennis was driving northbound along Remembrance Driveway, when he slowed down to turn into a small service road just before the roundabout of Remembrance Dr and Thirlmere Way.

Dennis drove towards the right hand turn, indicated to turn, and looked for traffic and when he didn’t see any turned right across two lanes and in doing so hit a man riding a motorcycle travelling southbound.

The rider, who was later identified as 71-year-old Sydney Thomas Moore, was ejected from his seat and landed 10m away in the middle of the road while Dennis’ car came to rest on a property.

The court documents reveal Dennis and other passers-by tried to render first aid to the rider before emergency services, but despite their efforts he was pronounced dead at the scene.

They further state that on December 17, Dennis attended the police station and told officers “I just didn’t see him”.

Anthony Vincent Dennis appears at Picton Local Court. Picture: Annie Lewis

In court on Friday, police prosecutor Carol Parnell said Dennis had a substantial traffic record that needed to be taken into account, and full-time imprisonment should be considered.

“A sentence must reflect the fact that a person has died as a result of the accident,” Ms Parnell said.

Barrister David Price said it was a tragic event and the past eight months have been hell for the families of both the victim and the offender.

He told the court Dennis has been receiving counselling and has been diagnosed with adjustment disorder.

“He is devastated, he is shattered by what has occurred,” Mr Price said.

“This was an accident, this was completely unintentional but it was negligence … the offender does not walk away from that and he has to live with that every day.”

Mr Price said Dennis was a person of good character who had demonstrated remorse from “ the moment he got out of the car”.

He acknowledged Dennis’ driving record, adding that while a conviction should be recorded the offence was at the lower end of offending and therefore did not cross the threshold for a jail sentence.

Anthony Vincent Dennis. Picture: Annie Lewis

“This is a case where full-time custodial sentence isn’t going to do any good for anybody,” Mr Price said.

In sentencing, Magistrate Mary Ryan said that as Dennis had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity he would receive the 25 per cent discount.

“Failure to keep a proper lookout is the only explanation that can be relied on in court,” she said.

“I find that he is a person of a very good character …. it appears that he is also as one would understand undergoing his own psychological and emotional issues as a result of the accident.”

Magistrate Ryan said the victim impact statements showed “the great despair that the family is suffering”.

“Nothing can account for the death and a loss of a human being and the change forever to Mr Moore’s family,” she said.

Magistrate Ryan said that while Dennis’ offending was at the lower end of the scale, a sentence of imprisonment for eight months would be handed down. However, Dennis will serve it in the community by way of an intensive corrections order. He is also disqualified from driving for 15 months.

BELOVED PARTNER, FATHER, AND BEST MATE

Police prosecutor Carol Parnell read out two victim impact statements to the court, from Sydney Moore’s wife Maree Rizos and his only son Colby Moore.

In her statement, Ms Rizos said the victim was “the love of my life” and losing him has had a “profound impact on her”.

“I have been affected drastically both emotionally and psychologically,” she wrote.

“I find it extremely difficult to start a new day without my partner by my side … I am empty.

“I am unable to plan my future in my current state of mind. Before the tragedy we had set out short to mid to long term plans. My future is uncertain.”

Ms Rizos said it was too difficult to summarise what she will miss most about her beloved partner.

“His presence and his love cannot be underestimated,” she wrote.

Sydney Thomas Moore who was killed in a crash on Remembrance Drive, Picton on December 14, 2021.

“The loss of a partner, father, poppy, father figure, friend and mentor cannot be put into words. There are no words or statements to describe the pain and suffering I have endured.”

Colby Moore said he does not think he will ever be able to get over the death of his father.

“Syd was not only my father but my brother and my best mate,” he wrote in the statement read out to the court by Ms Parnell.

“More often than not he felt like a brother to me and on our many motorcycling adventures we were referred to as the Moore brothers.

“He was my sounding board, my mentor, my inspiration.”

Mr Moore said the loss of his dad has created a “void” and left him feeling so confused.

“I am angry for dad and I am sad for dad,” he wrote.

“My daughter and her poppy were just starting to form such a special relationship … he will not get to see her grow into a beautiful and loving woman.”