Sarah Paino death: Killer teen driver released from jail

The unlicensed teen who killed a pregnant woman when he drove a stolen car at high speed through a red light has been freed from jail. READ THE PAROLE BOARD REPORT.

Flowers form a makeshift memorial to Sarah Paino at the scene of the crash on Davey St. Picture: JAY TOWN

THE unlicensed joyrider who killed pregnant Hobart mother Sarah Paino in a horror high-speed crash has been paroled after less than four years behind bars.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter and was sentenced as an adult to five years imprisonment with a non-parole period of 2½ years.

He became eligible for consideration for parole on July 21 last year but was refused release at his first appearance before the Parole Board because he needed to “engage more in addressing his offending behaviour and addictions”.

A Parole Board decision published on Wednesday night revealed the 19-year-old was granted parole at a second hearing on July 26 this year. He was released from jail on August 6.

READ THE FULL PAROLE BOARD REPORT HERE

The teenager was aged 15 and subject to a probation order for previous serious offences when he and three friends, all of his age or younger, stole a Toyota RAV4 in Glenorchy and engaged in the deadly cross-town joyride on January 22, 2016.

He was travelling at a minimum speed of 110km/h with no headlights on when he ran a red light and ploughed into Ms Paino’s Nissan Tiida with “catastrophic force”, at the intersection of Argyle and Davey streets in Hobart just after 1am.

Sarah Paino was killed in the crash.

At the time of his sentencing, in August 2016, Justice Helen Wood said the nature of the crime revealed “a reckless disregard for life and deliberate risk-taking” but that it was in the public interest for young offenders to be rehabilitated.

She said the juvenile surrounded himself with like-minded people and started using cannabis and alcohol around the age of 12. He had also been introduced to ice before the crash.

“Maturity and emotional growth may bring a greater level of appreciation of the terrible harm he has caused,” Justice Wood said.

“It is a strong link between risk factors such as drugs and alcohol and his past offending, and there are signs that he is motivated to avoid drug use and alcohol on his release.

“If the defendant co-operates with the support and intervention that is offered to him, and he continues to work hard at programs and his education, he has prospects of reform.”

People lay flowers and light candles at the site of the crash. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

A report prepared by forensic psychologist Damian Minehan for the court said the teenager’s ADHD and cognitive capacity contributed to his “poor judgment, impulsivity and tendency to not foresee or care about consequences”.

The Parole Board decision said the teenager’s mental health and cognitive deficits were reflected in his “lengthy and continued” history of poor behavioural episodes and rule infractions while housed at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre.

“The poor behaviour was unremitting and frequent,” the decsion reads.

“Indeed, it was noted by the staff at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre that the applicant, despite then being two years into his sentence, appeared to show no movement toward rehabilitation or showing remorse.”

But upon entering into the adult prison environment the youth’s behaviour reportedly “moderated”, despite being caught in possession of an article that was not authorised, resisting or obstructing a correctional officer and refusing to comply with a direction or order between July 30 last year and January 30 this year.

When questioned about his positive behavioural changes at the time of the Parole Board hearing, the teenager said he had decided he needed to “pull his head in”.

Flowers at the site of the crash where Sarah Paino died on January 22, 2016.

While in jail, the youth engaged in therapeutic programs for addiction and aggression, as well as vocational work including a Certificate III in asset maintenance, foundation English and a Certificate I in skills for vocational pathways.

He was also granted leave without incident on one occasion to provide an opportunity for engagement with his White Lion support person and the Hobart City Mission.

“Certainly during the custodial term there have been indications of improved insight, attitude and motivation toward compliance and prosocial behaviour,” the Parole Board decision reads.

“Under a parole order the applicant has the opportunity for significant input from a number of agencies to assist in his reintegration into the community.”

Those support providers include Hobart City Mission, White Lion and the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

His parole period is set to end on January 21, 2021.