Young driver Dhirren Randhawa sentenced over Charlie Stevens’ death
The Police Commissioner and his family have expressed gratitude at the conclusion of the court case into their son’s death, but acknowledged every day is still a struggle.
The young man who hit and killed the Police Commissioner’s son during schoolies celebrations in Goolwa last year has been spared jail.
Dhirren Randhawa, now 19, was silent in the dock of the District Court on Tuesday as Judge Joanne Tracey sentenced him for killing Charlie Stevens in November last year.
She said Randhawa, who fled the scene after striking Charlie, had done so out of panic, shock and disbelief – as revealed by The Advertiser last month.
“Just before 9pm on November 17, 2023, Charlie Stevens and three of his friends left the Stevens’ family shack at Goolwa Beach to catch a bus to Victor Harbor,” Judge Tracey said.
“You were driving south on Beach Rd to your girlfriend’s house at Goolwa Beach and deciding whether to go to Schoolies at Victor Harbor. As you approached the intersection where Charlie Stevens and his friends were waiting for the bus, the four young men made their way onto the road to flag you down.
“You stopped to speak to them when they asked you for a lift to be to Victor Harbor. You declined, telling them that you were on your P license and you did not want to risk losing it.”
She said Randhawa then decided to head back towards Victor Harbor, and as he was travelling down the same stretch of road, didn’t see Charlie in the southbound lane.
“You did not immediately brake or decelerate, but turned in a northwesterly direction away from him to avoid hitting him. You were unsuccessful. You heard yelling following the impact.”
Randhawa, of Encounter Bay, was originally charged with causing Charlie’s death by dangerous driving following the incident in November last year.
Expert reports, including toxicology and crash reconstruction, played a key role in the resolution of the case through plea bargain.
Though the driving offence carries a maximum 12-month prison term, leaving an accident scene has a maximum penalty of 15 years’ jail and licence disqualification for a minimum of 10 years.
What the judge said
“Mr and Mrs Stevens said you cannot possibly understand what you have taken from them,” Judge Tracey said.
“Your actions have changed them and their family forever. Losing Charlie, just as he was becoming a man they were immensely proud of, has taken so much of the colour from their lives.
“I do not doubt that the grief caused to Charlie Stevens’ family and friends weighs heavily on you and your family, your pleas of guilty have spared those who were there that night from reliving the horror of what they witnessed.
“I accept that at the time you likely panicked and were overwhelmed when you made the very foolish decision to keep driving. However, drivers in such circumstances will undoubtedly experience shock and panic, but that is no excuse for failing to stop.
“It can only be hoped that the circumstances here give all road users an opportunity to reflect on the devastating consequences that flow from driving without proper care, and serve as a powerful reminder to all drivers of the onerous responsibility that we have as users.”
Judge Tracey sentenced him to one year, one month and seven days in prison, taking into account a 25 per cent discount for his guilty pleas.
However, she said given his remorse, lack of prior history and circumstances of the collision, good reason existed to suspend that sentence upon him entering into a $1000 good behaviour bond.
He has been disqualified from driving for 10 years.
What Charlie’s family said
Outside court, Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, alongside his wife Emma and their children, thanked the South Australian community for their support over the last year.
“The judge during her summing up today said that no matter what happens in the courtroom, it’s not going to change anything for our family,” he said.
“I think that’s a very true statement.
“We’re grateful that this part of the entire process is over. Each court date that’s come up has been difficult, stressful and emotional for our family, but we’re grateful that Dhirren chose to plead guilty to the offence because that brought this part of it to a conclusion much more quickly.
“It’s one of those things that we are continuing to learn to live every single day without Charlie. It’s not getting any easier, as I am sure people who have lost a child would appreciate. We’re very grateful for the support and sympathy we have received from the South Australian community and we continue to receive that every single day. There’s no way we can acknowledge or repay that in any other format other than just by thanking people for their support. We do appreciate it.
“It’s not that we now move on, we’re learning to live life without Charlie. We are always reminded of his absence and we are grateful that Dhirren has taken responsibility for his actions. We’re grateful this part is over.”
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Originally published as Young driver Dhirren Randhawa sentenced over Charlie Stevens’ death
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