Brettson Payne: Driver gets 12 months’ jail for fatal accident

A MAN convicted of driving with a number of small kids unrestrained in a caravan, leading to the death of an eight-year-old, will spend a year behind bars

Friends and family led by Nikaiya Payne (centre), sister of eight-year-old Brettson Payne, who died when he fell out of a caravan being towed by Jonathan David Igescu. Picture: GLENN CAMPBELL

• Court hears sister’s grief for Katherine boy killed in caravan fall in emotional plea hearing

A KATHERINE man convicted of driving with a number of small kids unrestrained in a caravan, leading to the death of eight-year-old Brettson Payne, will spend a year behind bars.

Jonathan David Igescu, 32, pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court to dangerous driving causing the death of the boy on Edith Farms Road on June 14.

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Igescu also pleaded guilty to recklessly endangering life after he was seen driving at more than 70km/h on the Stuart Highway with another young child on the bonnet of his car the previous day.

The court heard Brettson was one of a number of kids in a caravan being towed by Igescu when he fell onto the road, suffering fatal head and chest injuries.

Igescu had stopped the car a number of times to check on the kids and, knowing it would get him in trouble, told the children travelling in the caravan to remain on the floor so that they were not spotted.

Brettson Payne was killed in the accident in June.

In sentencing, Justice Judith Kelly referred to Igescu’s offending as “stupid”.

“It must have been obvious to you. that driving at 60-70km/h down the highways with an eight-year-old child sitting on the bonnet of your car was an extremely dangerous thing to do,” she said.

“You knew the children were in danger, you stopped a number of times.”

Justice Kelly sentenced Igescu to three and a half years’ prison, suspended after 12 months.

“I’m 100 per cent certain that the experience of causing the death of a child will have convinced you to never do anything that stupid ever again,” she said.

Speaking outside court, Brettson’s sister Nikaiya Payne said Christmas was going to be very difficult for the family.

“It’s our first Christmas without Brettson and it’s going to be hard,” she said.

“There’s meant to be eight of us opening presents and there’s only seven of us now.”