Driver jailed for killing four children in Oatlands crash
A drunk driver has been jailed for hitting and killing four children as they walked to get ice cream in Sydney’s north-west.
Samuel Davidson was drunk and travelling 133km/h in a 50km/h zone when he ploughed into the group of seven children as they were walking and riding bikes on the footpath in Oatlands last year.
Abdallah siblings Antony, Angelina and Sienna, along with their cousin Veronique Sakr, were killed.
Davidson pleaded guilty to four counts of manslaughter and was today sentenced to a minimum of 21 years in jail.
His maximum sentence was set at 28 years, with a parole period of seven years.
The surviving Abdallah children left the court as the judge detailed the horrific injuries suffered by their siblings.
Veronique’s mother Bridget Sakr broke down as she heard the 11-year-old was projected furthest in the crash.
Davidson apologised to the family in a statement.
“I’m so sorry, I hate what I’ve put you through,” he said.
Outside court Danny Abdallah, father of Sienna, Angelina, and Antony said no sentence could bring the children back.
“Today Samuel Davidson was sentenced for 28 years and will be on parole in 21 years,” he said.
“Whether he gets one year or 100 years, it won’t get Antony, Angelina Sienna, and Veronique back.
“The most beautiful, innocent, pure-hearted children were killed on the 1st of February, 2020.
“We will all have our hearts broken ’til the day we take our last breath and no sentence can help ease that pain
“The justice system isn’t a place to serve as revenge for the victims, it is there to show the community the consequences of breaking the law.
“Where my disappointment lies is the way our culture loves drugs and alcohol. That’s where my frustration is more than the driver
“This is another milestone in our journey of grief.”
He also thanked Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his wife Jenny for “constantly checking in on us to see if we are okay” and “our Premier Gladys for reaching out to us”.
“We have experienced the true Aussie spirit – a mate that is there in hard times,” Mr Abdallah said.
“Hug your kids tight and love them unconditionally as you don’t know where life takes you.”
Veronique’s mother Bridget Sakr spoke outside court saying the driver’s loss is temporary, while theirs is permanent.
