The fate has been sealed for the driver responsible for the horrific crash that killed four children in Oatlands last year.
Today Judge James Bennett handed down his decision at Parramatta District Court, with drunk driver Samuel Davidson to remain behind bars for at least 21 years.
On February 1, 13-year-old Antony Abdallah and his siblings 12-year-old Angelina, nine-year-old Sienna and cousin, 11-year-old Veronique Sakr tragically lost their lives when an intoxicated Mr Davidson lost control of his vehicle, mounting a footpath where the children were walking on their way to get an ice-cream.
The pain that followed such a tragedy was indescribable for the families, but despite the grief caused, they forgave Mr Davidson and launched ‘i4give Day’ earlier this year on the anniversary of the tragedy as a way to celebrate forgiveness and to commemorate the young lives lost.
Mother, Leila Abdallah and her family are devout Maronite Catholics and credit God and the act of forgiveness for helping them through the grieving process.
In October last year Mr Davidson pleaded guilty to four counts of manslaughter and two counts of ‘grievous bodily harm by misconduct in charge of a motor vehicle’.
He has now been sentenced to 28 years, but will be eligible for parole on January 31, 2041
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.