Grim vigil as baby Skye Sassine’s killer William Ngati jailed

Skye Sassine

Justin Wright and Aimee Sassine outside the Downing Centre Court / Pic: Tracee Lea
Source: The Daily Telegraph


Skye Sassine

Skye Sassine … a life taken too soon.
Source: The Daily Telegraph




THE devastated parents of Skye Sassine will visit her grave this weekend to mark what would have been her fourth birthday.


It is a trip they have made every weekend since the 19-month-old was killed by a career criminal when he ploughed into their car while fleeing from police.

But this visit will be special for Aimee Sassine and Justin Wright – because at last they feel justice has been done.

The man who showed callous disregard for her life, William Ngati, 29, was yesterday jailed for at least 14 years for her manslaughter and the armed robbery that sparked the police chase.

And Skye’s legacy has been enshrined in law mandating a jail term for drivers who lead police on pursuits and endanger others on the road.

Her parents campaigned for their daughter’s death not to be forgotten.

“I refused since day one to let her life go in vain,” Mr Wright said outside the District Court yesterday. “I will represent my daughter until the last breath. After 2 1/2 years we finally get some justice. We are happy with the sentence – it’s the best we could have hoped for. It is never going to be enough (because) nothing will bring Skye back.”

Mr Wright said every time a driver was charged under Skye’s Law was a painful reminder of the senseless tragedy.

“It’s just something we have got to live with, having to read (stories about the law) every time (someone is charged).

“It does hurt. It’s a constant reminder that there are still people putting lives at risk for no reason at all.”

Skye suffered fatal head injuries when a getaway car driven by Ngati crashed into their family sedan at Ingleburn on December 31, 2009.

Police had chased him for 21km after he committed a string of robberies, reaching speeds of 160km/h and crossing on to the wrong side of the road.

Ms Sassine was heavily pregnant at the time but was unharmed in the crash.

Judge David Frearson said Ngati had written him a letter that showed he had not accepted responsibility.

Ngati said the crash was a “tragic accident” but Judge Frearson said Ngati was focused on escaping “at all costs” because he didn’t want to return to jail – where he had been several times before.

Judge Frearson said Mr Wright would have to live for the rest of his life with the traumatic memory of holding his dying child in his arms.

He said Skye’s parents had been “devastated by this senseless loss”.

 

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