Angurugu School teacher Ian De Silva pleads guilty to Groote Eylandt fatal crash

The teacher responsible for the reckless driving incident that caused the death of a 10-year-old has pleaded in the Darwin Supreme Court.

The teacher responsible for the death of a 10-year-old after a reckless driving incident on Groote Eylandt will wait to hear his punishment after entering his plea.

Angurugu School teacher Ian De Silva was charged with unlicensed and dangerous driving causing death and serious harm following a crash in December, 2021.

De Silva was driving a school-owned Toyota four-wheel-drive when it rolled off the road.

Several young children were in the vehicle at the time of the crash, including the 10-year-old boy who died at the scene.

Ian De Silva walks out with lawyer Jon Tippett KC.

De Silva pleaded guilty to each of his charges before Chief Justice Michael Grant in the Darwin Supreme Court on Friday.

However, with agreed facts still to be sorted between De Silva’s lawyer Jon Tippett KC and prosecutor Ian Rowbottom the case will return on Tuesday.

“The matter is listed for a disputed facts hearing for four days if necessary commencing on June 6,” Mr Grant said.

“Bail remains on the same terms and conditions to June 6, with the recent variation included to allow De Silva to travel to Darwin.”