Monkey bike rider jailed for death of Melbourne mum Andrea Lehane
A YOUNG hoon on a monkey bike who knocked down a mother of two on a pedestrian crossing in a busy carpark and left her to die could be free in less than four years.
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A YOUNG hoon on a monkey bike who knocked down a mother of two on a pedestrian crossing in a busy carpark and left her to die could be free in less than four years.
The sentence handed out to Caleb Jakobsson yesterday has outraged victims’ advocates and sparked calls for reform from the state Opposition,
Jakobsson was jailed for seven years for killing Andrea Lehane in September 2015, as she used the crossing at the Carrum Downs shopping centre in Melbourne’s southeast.
County Court judge Jane Campton set a minimum of four years. The maximum term for culpable driving causing death is 20 years.
Jakobsson, 20, has already served 118 days of the sentence on remand.
He was speeding on the homemade mini-motorcycle with no rear brake when he struck Mrs Lehane, 34.
He left the scene without rendering assistance, leaving other shoppers to desperately try and save Mrs Lehane, who later died of massive head injuries.
After his arrest he was bailed but he continued to offend, breaching curfew and later being charged with drug offences.
More: Grieving dad speaks on death of wife in hit run
Judge Campton described Jakobsson as immature and said he needed to be jailed to discourage other young men from hooning.
“This is a serious case of culpable driving,” she told him. “You would have been well aware of (the bike’s) failings.”
The sentence outraged crime victims’ groups, who said the Lehane family had, by comparison, been given a life sentence.
Victims of Crime Commissioner Greg Davies said: “Jakobsson will serve another four years for his irresponsible actions that ended the life of a completely innocent woman.
“While the community remains mystified by this sort of sentence, spare a thought for Andrea Lehane’s family.”
Shadow attorney-general John Pesutto said mandatory jail terms were needed to discourage violent offending.
“This is yet another tragic example of why we need stronger sentences and mandatory jail times that send an unequivocal message to violent offenders that the days of getting a slap on the wrist are over,” he said.
“It’s no wonder there is a crime tsunami in Daniel Andrews’ Victoria when this is the sort of sentence being handed out.”
Judge Campton said Jakobsson had shown remorse but said she was “guarded” about his prospects of rehabilitation.
“Your actions were morally reprehensible and I denounce your conduct,” she said
Mrs Lehane’s death devastated her family and left her young children motherless.
Husband James described the killing of his wife as “cowardly and easily avoidable”, adding in a victim impact statement: “This crime took Andy away for eternity in an insane moment of recklessness.”
He now cares for their two children solo and has said he struggles without his wife, who was “one in a million”.
“I’ve never felt so alone. Everything I do now feels hollow and pointless ... our children at best will only ever have the faintest memory of their mother,” he said.
Outside court yesterday, Mr Lehane added that he was relieved the case had ended.
“As a family we’re glad today’s over and we can all now go on with our grieving process for the loss of our Andy,” he said.
Jakobsson’s bail was revoked last year for persistently thumbing his nose at its conditions, including the curfew breaches and drug use.
He has been held in isolation after being assaulted at least twice while in custody.
Earlier this month, Jakobsson formally apologised to Mrs Lehane’s family.
“I certainly should have stopped and rendered assistance. I was a young kid making stupid choices which I regret more than anything,” he said. “I understand what I’ve done.”
