William Ngati, who killed toddler Skye Sassine during a police chase, will hit the streets within the next five weeks after being released on parole despite the desperate pleas of the victim’s mother.
The 19-month-old died when Ngati, who had led police on a 13 mile chase after committing a series of robberies, crashed into her family’s sedan on Sydney’s M5 highway on New Year’s Eve 2009.
Skye’s mother, Aimee Sassine, had begged authorities to keep Ngati behind bars for another five years.
“I am here today to beg you. I beg you, keep him away from me and our family. He ruined our lives with his actions,” she said.
William Ngati, who killed toddler Skye Sassine after driving recklessly to escape police, may be released on parole
Skye died when her family car was hit by Ngati who was fleeing police after committing a series of armed robberies
Under the terms of his parole, Ngati is prohibited from entering the Campbelltown local government area.
He will be closely monitored to ensure he complies with the other conditions of his order, including that he does not use any prohibited drugs or substances other than those prescribed to him.
He must also follow all instructions from the mental health team.
Other directions also state that he “shall not contact, communicate with, watch, stalk, harass, or intimidate the victim’s family” or “contact, communicate, or associate with his co-offenders, without the express prior consent of his officer.” .
He is to be released on a date between April 16 and May 7.
In handing down the minimum sentence of 14 years, Judge David Frearson said Ngati was “well aware of the potential to maim and kill others” because of his reckless driving.
Ngati, who was on parole at the time, sped through a red light and ended up on the wrong side of the road during the chase.
This prompted the NSW Government to introduce this ‘Skye’s Law’, which provided harsher penalties for drivers who deliberately tried to avoid arrest by initiating high-speed police chases.
