By Abe Maddison
Olympic cyclist Rohan Dennis is not being held criminally responsible for the death of his wife, fellow Olympian Melissa Hoskins, but has pleaded guilty to a charge that carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison.
Dennis, 34, appeared in Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday to answer to charges of dangerous driving causing death and an aggravated charge of driving without due care.
Rohan Dennis and Melissa Hoskins.Credit: Instagram
He was arrested after Hoskins, 32, was struck by his vehicle in front of their home at Medindie, in Adelaide’s inner north, on December 30, 2023.
Dennis’ lawyer, Jane Abbey, KC, told the court the defence and prosecutors had agreed to drop the original charges and that he would instead plead guilty to an aggravated charge of creating likelihood of harm.
“What is agreed that will happen today is that there will be a plea to count three … the original charges will be dropped,” Abbey told magistrate Justin Wickens.
“In respect of count three, [it] is entered today, a charge on the basis of recklessness. So there was no intention of Mr Dennis to harm his wife and this charge does not charge him with any responsibility for her death.”
Hoskins, pictured winning a race in 2013, was a champion cyclist and two-time Olympian.Credit: Sebastian Costanzo
Wickens told Dennis that he drove when his wife was on or near his vehicle, knowing it was likely to cause harm or was recklessly indifferent to whether harm was caused.
It was an aggravated offence because they were in a relationship.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of seven years in jail and a five-year loss of driver’s licence.
Dennis, who pleaded guilty to the charge, had his bail continued and was committed to the District Court for sentencing on January 24.
Dennis outside Adelaide Magistrates Court in March.Credit: AAP
Hoskins suffered serious injuries in the crash and was taken to Royal Adelaide Hospital, where she died.
Hoskins competed at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics on the track in the team pursuit, and was in the squad that won the 2015 world title in the same event.
During his competitive career, Dennis won two world titles in the road time trial, as well as a silver medal in the team pursuit at the 2012 Olympics and bronze in the road time trial at the Tokyo Olympics.
He became the seventh Australian to wear the yellow jersey as race leader at the Tour de France by winning the opening time trial in 2015, setting a race record for his average speed.
Dennis also won the 2015 Tour Down Under in South Australia.
Hoskins was laid to rest in her home city of Perth in January and a public memorial service was held in Adelaide in February. Dennis attended the service with their two children.
AAP
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.