Article Summary
Former world champion cyclist Rohan Dennis will avoid jail time in the death of his wife, Olympian Melissa Hoskins, after pleading guilty to an aggravated act likely to cause harm. Dennis was handed a suspended sentence of one year, four months and 28 days, to be suspended for two years. He has also been placed on a two-year good behaviour bond and his license was suspended for five years. Hoskins was run over by a pickup truck driven by Dennis near their Adelaide, Australia home just days after Christmas in 2023, when she was holding onto the truck door trying to stop him from driving away.
What This Means for You
- Understand the legal implications of an aggravated act likely to cause harm charge and suspended sentences in Australia.
- Recognize the importance of seeking legal advice in the event of a criminal charge.
- Learn from the tragic consequences of disregarding safety measures in a dispute.
- Be aware of the long-term effects of a criminal record on driving privileges.
Original Post
Former world champion cyclist Rohan Dennis will avoid jail time in the death of his wife, fellow Olympian Melissa Hoskins.
The 34-year-old Dennis appeared in South Australia District Court on Wednesday, after earlier pleading guilty to a charge of committing an aggravated act likely to cause harm.
He was handed a suspended sentence over what was termed a “tragic accident,” with the judge saying that while Dennis had disregarded his wife’s safety by accelerating and hitting her with his vehicle while she was trying to stop him from driving away, he was not criminally responsible for her death.
Hoskins was run over by a pickup truck driven by Dennis near their Adelaide, Australia home just days after Christmas in 2023. She was holding onto the truck door, trying to stop him from driving, when he accelerated and caused her to slip under the truck. She suffered serious injuries and later died in hospital.
The couple had argued over kitchen renovations before Dennis left their home and attempted to drive away. Hoskins had jumped onto the hood of the car in an attempt to stop him from leaving, but Dennis continued to drive at a slow speed for about 75 metres as she was on the vehicle.
Key Terms
- Aggravated act likely to cause harm
- Suspended sentence
- Criminal responsibility
- Driving under the influence
- Homicide by vehicle
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