Family of nine-year-old hit-and-run victim Jack Sultan-Page says NT legal system failed them

THE family of a boy killed in a hit-and-run have slammed the Territory’s legal system for only giving the killer six months of home detention.

THE family of a boy killed in a hit-and-run have slammed the Territory’s legal system for not standing up for their “little champion”.

Mathew Alexander walked free from the NT Supreme Court on Tuesday fter he was convicted of a hit and run that caused the death of Jack Sultan-Page, 9, in November 2014.

Alexander, 23, was facing a maximum of 10 years behind bars, but instead received six months of home detention and an 18-month suspended jail sentence.

Jack’s father Michael Page told the NT News the justice system had failed his son.

“We don’t think the law stood up for him,’’ he said.

“A person who gets drunk gets more time, anyone up on domestic violence gets more time than a hit and run.”

Jack Sultan-Page’s father Michael has questioned the lenient sentence handed down

Mr Page also questioned if such a lenient sentence would have been imposed if the driver was an Aboriginal person.

“I’m pretty sure a black fella would still be in jail,’’ he said.

Mr Page said his son was “a happy, vibrant, little champion”.

A victim impact statement by Jack’s mum read out in court described her son as a little boy with a big heart who “put everybody first before himself”.

Justice Stephen Southwood said sentencing was “extremely difficult” because he had to balance the needs of Jack’s family with those of Alexander “who made a grave error in judgment”.

Justice Southwood made it clear the young man’s driving did not cause the accident and he was being punished for leaving the scene.

Justice Southwood also noted witnesses had called ambulance officers straight away.

“Nonetheless this is serious offending,’’ he said.

“The offending is extremely cowardly and showed the offender had a greater concern for his own predicament than that of his victim.”

Jack Sultan-Page was killed in the hit-and-run at Moulden

Justice Southwood said Alexander had a history of depression and “intermittent” drug use but he had since spent three months at the Banyan House rehabilitation facility.

A letter from the centre’s clinical services manager described him as “one of the most committed and inspiring residents we have had in the program for some time”.

Justice Southwood said he believed Alexander was “genuinely remorseful” for his actions and had “learnt the error of his ways”.

He ordered Alexander spend the next six months at his Rosebery home, wear a monitoring device, take part in counselling and report to a probation officer.