Teen learns fate over horror Australia Day crash which killed young pregnant couple
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An 18-year-old has been sentenced to 10 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 6 years, for the manslaughter of Kate Leadbetter and Matthew Field.
The couple were struck by a stolen SUV, driven by the teen, while out walking their dogs on Australia Day in Alexandra Hills last year.
Ms Leadbetter, 31, was pregnant with the couple’s first child, Miles.
The court heard the then 17-year-old was was affected by alcohol and cannabis at the time of the crash.
He will be eligible to apply for parole on Australia Day in 2027.
The teen cannot be named for legal reasons.
Yesterday their families delivered harrowing victim impact statements in court.
Nine News reporter Alex Heinke was in court for the sentencing.
“Although he is 18 now, he is being treated like a minor and therefore sentenced like a minor,” he told Scott Emerson.
The judge described the manslaughter as a “particularly heinous” one.
Inside court, he said the families gasped and were crying when the sentence was handed down.
Press PLAY below to hear his full report from the Supreme Court
A Current Affair’s senior reporter Dan Nolan says he understands the anger around the sentence.
Press PLAY below to hear his comments in full
The call to politicians as family of couple killed in horror crash share impact statements