judge only sentenced Huang Yucheng to complete a nine-month intensive correction order. (Information Photo)
A Chinese-American man in Sydney killed a pedestrian nearly 20 years ago and now does not need to go to jail. judge reason is that the man did not know he needed to appear in court for so many years.
The 54-year-old Yucheng Huang, killed an elderly woman walking along a sidewalk in February 2003 in Kelly Valley, southwest Sydney. But then he not only changed his name, but also got a new driver's license.
The 81-year-old woman was towed 16 meters away before her car stopped, and the woman death. on the spot, security judge Hawkeye said Thursday in Barama District Court
Huang, then 36, had told the warning that he had been blinded by the early morning sun, but admitted that he hadn't worn sunglasses or put down his shade despite driving through the road.
Mr. huang was prosecuted for the deadly car accident, but in october 2003 he failed to meet authorities requirements.
Though authorities issued a arrest order to Huang Yucheng, the agent did not track his whereabouts until November 2019.
Huang had earlier pleaded guilty to the charge of negligent driving to death, after more than 17 years, judge Thursday sentenced him.
court heard that Huang Yucheng had changed his name over the years. The reason his client changed his name was not related to the car accident, his defense lawer Seck (Jasmina Ceic) said, but "he thinks his name is unlucky in Chinese. He is a superstitious person. "
Mr. Seker also said Mr. Huang had not received the impression of a subpoena sent home, and that he did not understand even the summons because he could not speak or understand English.
Hawkey judge accepted that Huang had not received a subpoena, so he didn't know he was asked to appear in court.
"I don't think he changed his name to relieve himself of his responsibility for the incident ," judge Hawkey said ." I also accept that the delay was not the defendant's intention. "
He said she felt guilty about the car accident "and was still in a state of remorse and, with her son's help, wrote a formal apology to the victim's family.
While Hawkey judge described the car accident as an "objectively serious crime ", he did not choose to impose the maximum sentence of 18 months' imprisonment on Huang Yucheng, but rather a nine-month intensive correctional order and a three-year suspension of his driver's license.
judge Hawkey said :" In this case, we have an unusual (sentencing) advantage to see his 17-year driving history, and no more violations. "
"This is a tragic situation for the victims and their families" and "it is also a very, very tragic situation for the accused. "
"I have no doubt that he has had many reflections on his driving and what happened that day. "
