Zhane Su’a jailed for hit-run of schoolchildren and mother
The shocking criminal history of an unlicensed teen thug, who hit a mum and seven children as they left school in Pakenham, has been revealed in court.
Law & Order
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An unlicensed thug who mowed down a mother and seven primary aged children as they left school had been released from jail a month earlier.
The shocking criminal history of Zhane Saiah Su’a was revealed in the County Court today as he was sentenced to nine years jail over the horrific crash in Officer on February 16 this year.
Mum Michelle Nash, 35, was standing on a pedestrian island with the schoolchildren, including her two daughters, Tayla, 9, and Chelsey, 6, when Su’a mounted the kerb and struck them in a stolen ute at the Grandvue Boulevard and Princes Hwy junction about 3.30pm.
Su’a, from Pakenham, pleaded guilty to 11 charges, recklessly cause serious injury, fail to render assistance after an accident, and five counts of recklessly cause injury.
Judge John Smallwood told the wayward youth he had no choice but to lock him up as he was a “danger” to the public.
“The offending is clearly serious — quite easily three or four people could’ve died,” Judge Smallwood said.
“Your criminal history is a real concern. It’s a significant one for someone so young.”
Judge Smallwood found it hard to accept the remorse shown by Su’a, saying the thug indicated remorse in all other cases before the courts but continued to commit crimes.
He said Su’a first came to the attention of police in January 2015, aged 18, when he crashed into a residential home in a stolen vehicle following a high-speed pursuit.
The young Australian-born Samoan was given a chance on a Community Corrections Order after being found guilty of reckless conduct endangering life and failing to stop on request of police.
But he breached it a month later and was resentenced to youth detention.
That year, Judge Smallwood said Su’a faced the magistrates court multiple times for burglary, traffic and dishonesty offences.
He was paroled on July 20 last year, only to be locked up again on October 25 for further offending.
He was released on January 12 this year after serving three months jail.
Little Chelsey, in her victim impact statement, detailed her shock of seeing her mother and sister lying injured on the road.
“I thought my mum was dead,” the St Claire’s Primary School student said, adding how she was now “petrified to cross the road”.
Eight-year-old victim Ava Shaw said she felt “scared and frightened” and could no longer do cartwheels and flips because of her broken arm.
Another young girl struck revealed how she thought she would be ugly for the rest of her life from her scars, stopping her from competing in gymnastics.
Su’a was not arrested until three days after the crash after he fled the scene.
Police recognised the known crook seen in dashcam footage stumbling from the vehicle and calling a friend who came and picked him up. Fingerprints found in the car also confirmed his identity.
He will not be eligible for parole for at least five years.