James Twentyman sentenced in court over meth-fuelled crash that killed Harry Papagoras

A drugged up driver responsible for the tragic death of a cyclist and father-of-two in Melbourne’s west has been handed jail time for his crimes.

Harry Papagoras was killed in a motorbike crash in Spotswood in September 2021. Picture: Facebook

A meth-fuelled plasterer has been sentenced to seven years and ten months imprisonment after killing a cyclist when he veered onto the wrong side of the road after a turn.

James Twentyman appeared in the Melbourne County Court on Tuesday morning to be sentenced after pleading guilty to one charge of one charge of reckless conduct endangering serious injuries and another of culpable driving.

Melbourne physiotherapist Harry Papagoras was riding his bicycle when he was struck by a car driven by Twentyman on Douglas Road in Spotswood on September 12, 2021.

Police testing revealed Twentyman’s blood contained methamphetamine, amphetamine and delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol at the time of the crash.

Judge James Parrish said Twentyman displayed “scant evidence of remorse” during the court proceeding which detailed the devastating impact the crash had on Mr Papagoras’ family.

Twentyman was sentenced to seven years and ten months imprisonment in the Melbourne County Court. Picture: Supplied

Twentyman appeared at the sentencing via video link and maintained a concerned and serious look throughout the entire hearing.

The court heard the victim’s wife Nicole Papagoras and her children’s heartbreaking victim impact statements were considered during Twentyman’s sentencing.

“His clothes are still in my wardrobe, his toiletries in my bathroom, his wedding ring’s on my hand. The only solace that I have is that my husband loved riding his bike,” said Mrs Papagoras during her victim impact statement.

“He would have been riding his bike home, thinking about his family, thinking about his dinner plans, and living his dream.”

Judge Parrish directly addressed the emotional family and friends of Mr Papagoras after Twentyman’s sentence was announced.

“Clearly, any sentence cannot retrieve someone,” he said.

“Please do not walk away thinking that is what a life is worth.”

Judge Parrish said Twentyman’s guilty plea, his minimal previous drug driving offences and the effort he has made to stay sober also contributed to the sentencing.

The court also heard a female driver was also stuck and suffered multiple bruising and soreness.

Police investigations also revealed he was speeding at least 91km/h in a 60km/h zone.

Twentyman’s sentence has a non-parole period of four years and eight months and all his licenses have been cancelled for three years.