Pusey sentence divides readers

Richard Pusey’s jail term for filming dying police officers has sparked ferocious debate. See what our readers think.

The 10 month jail term handed down to Porsche driver Richard Pusey has sparked debate among the public over whether his sentence was appropriate.

Pusey was on Tuesday convicted for filming and mocking Victoria Police officers Glen Humphris, Kevin King, Lynette Taylor and Joshua Prestney as they lay dying after the Eastern Freeway crash.

While outrage erupted from the fallen officers’ loved ones who labelled Pusey’s sentence for his behaviour at the horror crash scene “totally inappropriate”, the unprecedented conviction had divided Herald Sun readers.

Senior Constable Kevin King’s partner, Sharron Mackenzie, arrives at court with Constable Josh Prestney’s parents, Andrew and Belinda. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Crosling

Hundreds of readers debated over the sentence, with some in disbelief over what they believed was a slap on the wrist for Pusey’s “disgusting” behaviour on the Freeway.

“If he hadn’t performed the unlawful speeding on the freeway the 4 police would still be alive. Another example of society starting to break down with poor judiciary judgment and a lack of empathy for the community!,” one reader said.

“Pathetic sentence. If he wasn’t speeding, they wouldn’t have to pull him over in the first place,” another wrote.

Other readers slammed Victoria’s judicial system, dubbing Pusey’s sentence an insult to the police officers’ grieving families.

“I feel for the families of these police officers. 10 months is not justice or closure for these families. How is it fair?” one woman said.

Steve wrote: “Why do we get surprised when the judicial system lets us down again and again. Shame judges shame.”

Mark said: Absolutely disgraceful outcome from the judiciary.”

“Disgusted in this sentence,” another woman said.

“Justice has not been done. That man should not be allowed to continue to reside under the protection of our society. He should leave and never, ever come back to Victoria,” another said.

Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor and Constable Joshua Prestney.

Constable Glen Humphris and Senior Constable Kevin King.

Judge Trevor Wraight detailed Pusey’s conviction in an hour-long sentencing and acknowledged he was not responsible for the officers’ deaths but his actions were “heartless, cruel and disgraceful”

But, other readers said Pusey’s term was too “harsh” because he did not directly kill the four police officers.

“Ten months seems an (sic) over the top for his part in the collision,” one man said.

A woman said: “He didn’t kill anyone – blame the truck driver, not him.

“It seems to me to be an appropriate sentence. He didn’t kill those police,” James wrote.

Readers also questioned why Pusey was being linked to the actual truck crash and argued while his behaviour was ‘abhorrent’ immediately afterwards, they did not agree his actions were illegal.

Troy said: “I can’t see how any judge could lock him up any longer. His sentence is quite harsh for speeding, drug possession and filming. I understand the anger but let’s face it, he didn’t kill anyone.”

Wreaths laid at the Victoria Police Memorial on St Kilda Road to mark one year since four officers were killed on the Eastern Freeway. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Andrew Henshaw

“Ten months prison for what the law can hold him responsible for is still no small sentence. Save the “weak sentence” remarks for gang members and home invaders,” another reader said.

Another reader said: “His behaviour was abhorrent but he did not kill the officers – the truck driver did. We can’t lock someone up for years just because we don’t like them.”

Pusey, 42, could walk free in less than a week after already spending 296 days in jail on remand.

The fallen officers had pulled Pusey over on the Eastern Freeway for speeding when drug-fuelled truck driver Mohinder Singh veered into the emergency lane where the officers were standing on April 22 last year.

@byoliviajenkins