Leila Abdallah named Mother of the Year after losing three kids in horror Oatlands crash

When Sydney woman Leila Abdallah lost three of her kids to a drug driver, she “demonstrated grace beyond measure – despite her horrific loss”.

The Sydney woman who lost three of her six children when they were mowed down by a drunk and drugged driver last year has been named mother of the year.

Lelia Abdallah and her husband Danny lost son Antony Abdallah, 13 and daughters Angelina Abdallah, 12, and Sienna Abdallah, eight when they were killed alongside their cousin Veronique Sakr, 11, on February 1 2020.

The kids were among seven children riding their bikes on a footpath in Oatlands, northwest Sydney, when they were hit by a Mitsubishi Triton ute just before 8pm.

Driver Samuel William Davidson, 31, was sentenced to 21 years with no parole last month at Parramatta District Court after pleading guilty to multiple charges including four counts of manslaughter, each carrying a maximum of 25 years in prison.

Leila and Danny inspired others by revealing they forgave Davidson, stating outside court their true frustration lay with “way our culture loves drugs and alcohol”.

After winning this year’s annual accolade, Leila said she dedicated her award to all women grieving the loss of a child.

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Sydney woman Lelia Abdallah has been named mother of the year after forgiving the driver who killed three of her children after mowing them down last year. Picture: Daniel Abdallah

“I’d like to dedicate the award to all the bereaved mothers out there,” she told Sydney radio 2GB on Thursday.

“A lot of people have been inspired and touched with the forgiveness and they were able to forgive in their own family and accept their grief.

“Kids are the biggest joy any parents can have.”

Davidson had been drinking for 12 hours at his home nearby and was travelling at up to 133km/h in the seconds before he crashed into seven kids who were walking to buy ice cream.

Judge James Bennett said Davidson’s “horrific” actions and “menacing” driving that day revealed he had abandoned all moral responsibility.

“The manner of driving was such that tragedy was inevitable,” Judge Bennett said. “The magnitude of the tragedy extends to the unimaginable.”

Samuel William Davidson was sentenced to a minimum 21 years with no parole after pleading guilty to manslaughter of the three Abdallah children as well as cousin Veronique Sakr. Picture: 7 NEWS

The seven children were walking along the footpath to a local IGA store on a hot summer night when they were blindsided by the out-of-control ute about 7.50pm.

During Davidson’s sentencing Judge Bennett read out in graphic detail the internal injuries suffered by the four children who died.

Their bodies were found metres apart from each other.

The court heard a fifth child was left in a critical condition and spent 80 days in hospital but survived, while two others were also injured in the crash on Bettington Road.

Antony (13) Angelina (12) and Sienna (8) Abdallah who died on February 1, 2020 when walking to buy ice cream on a warm summer’s day. Picture: 7 NEWS

11-year-old Veronique Sakr also died alongside her three cousins. Picture: Supplied

Judge Bennett said Davidson had not only robbed four children of their lives but “stole the innocence” of the three surviving children.

Davidson apologised in court via a letter, stating: “It breaks my heart that I have hurt this beautiful family and I am responsible for this horrible accident.”

After being sentenced to a maximum of 28 years behind bars, Danny said he and Leila had chosen to “make that choice of forgiveness” to focus on their kids outside court.

Leila and husband Danny said they forgave Davidson outside of court at his sentencing in April. Picture: David Swift

Family Voice Australia said Leila “has demonstrated grace, charity, and peace beyond measure despite the horrific loss she and her husband have suffered and continue to suffer”.

“There could be no better example of how to deal with such a significant and life-changing family disaster than Mrs Abdallah has demonstrated, even though her heart must still be breaking daily because of the loss of three of her precious children.

“Yet she continues to express forgiveness rather than seek revenge.”

It is the first year Family Voice Australia held the annual mother of the year awards after Barnardos Australia announced it would no longer run award after 25 years in February.

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