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

THE sister of an 8-year-old boy killed when he fell from a caravan in June braided her little brother’s hair one last time as she said goodbye at the hospital after he passed away, a court has heard

Eight-year-old Brettson Payne’s sister Nikaiya Payne leaves the Supreme Court with other family members on Thursday. Picture: Glenn Campbell

• Family left devastated after tragic accident involving a caravan kills Brettson Payne

THE sister of an 8-year-old boy killed when he fell from a caravan in June braided her little brother’s hair one last time as she said goodbye at the Katherine hospital after he passed away, a court has heard.

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

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

In reading from a heart wrenching victim impact statement, Brettson’s 19-year-old sister, Nikaiya Payne, said she wasn’t with her baby brother when he died but went to visit him in hospital after he passed on.

“I used to love playing with Brettson’s hair and loved doing plaits so I put a little plait in his hair — the weekend before I had taught him how braid everyone’s hair,” she said.

“I was there for almost an hour when dad said we had to leave, I didn’t want to leave him because I didn’t want him to be alone.”

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Ms Payne said while she knew “anger doesn’t get you anywhere” she wanted to see Igescu punished for causing her brother’s death.

“I mainly feel confused because I don’t understand why he didn’t prevent this from happening — I do feel angry at myself though,” she said.

“I always keep telling my little siblings I’ll always be there for them and look after them, I wasn’t there when Brettson needed me the most, he died and I couldn’t help him.”

Brettson’s father, Brett Payne said he had still not spoken to the man who took him away from him.

“As a father it’s my responsibility to protect him from harm as a child, I didn’t do that an I blame myself," he said.

“That will haunt me until the day I die … I put Brettson and my other children’s safety in his hands and he failed me and them.”

Defence barrister Peter Maley said Igescu’s actions had not contained “a scintilla of malice” and he felt “absolute contrition and remorse” for what had happened.

“He says it’s the worst thing that’s ever happened and he wishes he could change places with the child,” he said.

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Igescu will return to court for sentencing on Monday.

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