Family of man hit by driver of stolen car and dragged down road to death break down over sentence

The family of a British motorcyclist who died after being hit by a stolen BMW and dragged for 85 metres have broken down in tears over the length of the teenage driver’s sentence.

Keith Stevens, 33, originally from Scotland but living in Melbourne, was riding home from work when he was hit by the car, which was being driven by a 17-year-old boy.

The driver, who has been jailed for at least four years without parole, only paused to dislodge the rider after his teen passengers begged him to.  

Keith Stevens, 33, (pictured) originally from Scotland but living in Melbourne , was riding home from work when he was hit by the car, which was being driven by a 17-year-old boy 

Judge Irene Lawson cried and took a moment to compose herself when describing the void left by Mr Stevens' death at the hands of the now 18-year-old, who cannot be named (crash scene pictured)

Judge Irene Lawson cried and took a moment to compose herself when describing the void left by Mr Stevens’ death at the hands of the now 18-year-old, who cannot be named (crash scene pictured)

Judge Irene Lawson cried and took a moment to compose herself when describing the void left by Mr Stevens’ death at the hands of the now 18-year-old, who cannot be named. 

She wept as she jailed the young man, while Mr Stevens’ partner Amanda Wilson sobbed and a supporter lashed out at the boy as he was taken from court. 

‘You have senselessly and cruelly deprived a community of a loving father, son, partner, brother, uncle and friend,’ Judge Lawson said.

The teen’s ‘inhumane behaviour’ must be condemned, she added.

Mr Stevens was a sheet metal worker with a young son. 

Ms Wilson said she was ‘devastated’ by what she thought was a soft sentence.

‘I had prepared myself to be disappointed but not that disappointed,’ she said, according to Yahoo 7.

She wept as she jailed the young man, while Mr Stevens' partner Amanda Wilson (pictured outside court) sobbed and a supporter lashed out at the boy as he was taken from court

She wept as she jailed the young man, while Mr Stevens’ partner Amanda Wilson (pictured outside court) sobbed and a supporter lashed out at the boy as he was taken from court

British motorcyclist Keith Stevens was killed when a stolen BMW smashed into his bike and dragged him down the road

Mr Stevens (left and right) was was a sheet metal worker with a young son – and Ms Wilson said she was ‘devastated’ by what she thought was a soft sentence

 ‘To watch your partner burn and be with him as he burnt to death and he (the convicted teenager) gets four years.

‘That’s not justice to me.’ 

Ms Wilson said she drank a Japanese beer before the sentence in honour of Mr Stevens, the gentle giant whose cheekiness and infectious personality made everyone love him. 

Four teenagers have been arrested and charged in connection with the hit and run that left Mr Stevens' bike smashed in the middle of the road (pictured)

Four teenagers have been arrested and charged in connection with the hit and run that left Mr Stevens’ bike smashed in the middle of the road (pictured)

Despite the catastrophic consequences of the crash, the boy’s crime spree didn’t end with the collision.

He dumped the BMW on the Eastern Freeway and allegedly attempted to break into two nearby homes with his passengers, but were stopped by their owners.

At a third, they allegedly broke in and stole keys, a wallet and phone before driving away in the home owner’s car, which was later abandoned and ignited, police claim. 

Despite the catastrophic consequences of the crash (pictured), the boy's crime spree didn't end with the collision with Mr Stevens

Despite the catastrophic consequences of the crash (pictured), the boy’s crime spree didn’t end with the collision with Mr Stevens

Judge Lawson said the teen relapsed into drug use and crime at the time of the November 2017 crash, on-selling stolen cars for income.

He’d had several jobs including tiling, concreting and tree lopping, but none lasted longer than a few months before he quit or was sacked.

He pleaded guilty to culpable driving causing death, robbery and other charges indicated some remorse and she found he had good rehabilitation prospects.

Judge Lawson said the offending justified time in adult prison, but would recommend all or part be served in youth detention.

He dumped the BMW on the Eastern Freeway and allegedly attempted to break into two nearby homes with his passengers, but were stopped by their owners 

He dumped the BMW on the Eastern Freeway and allegedly attempted to break into two nearby homes with his passengers, but were stopped by their owners 

The final decision will be made by The Adult Parole Board.

Mr Stevens’ family paid tribute to him in a statement released by police and told how his organs were donated to help save other lives.

They said: ‘Keith was a loving father, partner and son. We will remain forever devastated by his loss.

‘His passing in the most tragic of circumstances has left us all with immense grief and overwhelming sadness.

‘Born in Scotland, he called Australia home. His death is being felt by the lives he touched around the world.

‘Keith was our gentle giant and he leaves behind shocked friends and family.

‘Keith was an organ donor and we know he would be pleased that in these most tragic of circumstances he was able to help improve the quality of others’ lives.

‘We thank the passers-by who stopped to help and the incredible staff at the Alfred Hospital who kept Keith sedated on life support till we could reach him to say our goodbyes.’

Mr Stevens had lived in Australia for 10 years. 

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