Father of triple-fatal victim Kelsie Davies slams court system for not keeping him in the loop on case progress

A father whose daughter was killed at the hands of youth crime has slammed the court system for not keeping him in the loop and revealed his coping mechanism in the 15 months since the tragedy.

Owen Davies has spoken about the pain of losing his daughter Kelsie Davies who was killed in a triple-fatal at the hands of a teenager behind the wheel of a stolen speeding car. Photo: Supplied.

The father of a teenager killed in a triple-fatal at the hands of a teenager behind the wheel of a stolen speeding car says he is disappointed he has not been kept up-to-date with the court case.

A 13-year-old boy has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing deaths and grievous bodily harm killing 17-year-old Kelsie Davies, church pastor Michale Chandler, 29, and nurse Sheree Robertson, 52 in April last year.

His matter was adjourned for sentence to November 18 in Hervey Bay Childrens Court.

But Kelsie’s father, Owen Davies, said while authorities had kept him in the loop about court dates in the months after the crash occurred, that communication had since stopped.

“All of a sudden it stopped,” Mr Davies said.

“I don’t know the reason why, but every time he’d go to court. I would be informed about everything that was going on.

“But the past few months I haven’t heard a peep. I don’t know if there was a bit of a breakdown there or something.”

The crash caused the deaths of church pastor Sheree Robertson, 52, Michale Chandler, 29, and Kelsie Davies, 17.

Mr Davies said he was instead finding out through the news and word of mouth, and wasn’t able to get the closure he needed.

“It’s not easy,” he said.

“I just thought after a short period of time, everything would start mellowing but it hasn’t.”

Mr Davies said losing his daughter had been very painful.

“It’s very, very hard. It’s been 15 months, but it feels just like yesterday. It’s very hard to handle,” he said.

“She was 17-years-old and full life in front of her was just taken away by juvenile crime.”

But he still tries to preserve her memory.

Mr Davies said he still goes to the cemetery to visit his daughter almost every day after work and every weekend.

“I probably go out to see the cemetery nearly every single day, and always have a talk to

her,” he said.

“It’s emotional but I’ve got to go out. It’s one of those things, I feel I’m doing something worthwhile.”

Mr Davies this week attended a media event with Opposition Leader David Crisafulli about youth crime.

“Something has got to be done, the way things are going at the moment is absolutely hopeless,” he said.

“All the laws that are in place at the moment are not doing any good whatsoever.”

Owen Davies (left), pictured with LNP member for Maryborough John Barounis, speaking about his daughter Kelsie Davies who was killed in a triple-fatal. Photo: Supplied.

Mr Crisafulli said the youth crime crisis needed to be tackled head on.

“It’s stronger laws at one end, adult crime, adult time, it’s early intervention to turn kids around, and it’s rehabilitation to make sure that when offenders are leaving jail, that there’s programs to stop them reoffending,” he said.

“All three of those elements are falling short at the moment in Queensland.”

A spokesperson from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said it complies with the Queensland Government’s Charter of Victims’ Rights for Agencies.

“Under the Charter, victims will be informed about the details of relevant court processes relating to the prosecution of the accused,” he said.

“The director has issued guidelines to his staff under the Director of Public Prosecutions Act 1984 to ensure they meet their obligations under the charter.

“ODPP victim liaison officers keep victims informed via text, in writing, email or phone calls. They are advised of the outcome of events within 48 hours and thus informed of the next court date.”

Originally published as Father of triple-fatal victim Kelsie Davies slams court system for not keeping him in the loop on case progress