The family of a mother of four killed while crossing a Central Coast highway says nothing will compensate them for her loss after the speeding driver was jailed for at least 20 months.
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Menouar Belkadi, 25, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving occasioning death after he ran down physiotherapist Annabelle Deall three years ago in NSW.
Downing Centre District Court Judge Sarah Huggett on Friday sentenced him to two years and eight months in jail with a non-parole period of one year and eight months.
Belkadi was facing a maximum possible sentence of 10 years' imprisonment.
Ms Deall, 32, was killed instantly when Belkadi's speeding black Mazda struck her as she crossed the Scenic Highway at Terrigal with two friends.
The trio was heading to dinner on the evening of August 6, 2016.
Outside court on Friday, Ms Deall's family struggled to contain their emotions. Her father, David King, said Belkadi's sentence couldn't make up for her death.
"To suggest that this sentence today in any way compensates for the loss of our daughter Annabelle is both absurd and insulting," Mr King said.
"Rather we hope the custodial sentence given today will help Mr Belkadi gain some insight into the tragic consequences of his criminal actions.
"Over the past three years, we've had little evidence he's had any such insight."
The court heard Belkadi, who had two passengers in the car, was doing 60 km/h in a 50 zone when he drove over a rise and saw Ms Deall and her friends crossing the road to The Cowrie restaurant about 30 metres ahead.
In an attempt to avoid them, he swerved over double lines onto the wrong side of the road.
However, Ms Deall and Meagan Darling stepped into the path of the car. Ms Deall was catapulted over the top of the vehicle.
Ms Darling, who was 23-weeks pregnant at the time, was hit by the passenger-side mirror and spent three days in hospital with pelvic injuries.
Judge Huggett said while Belkadi did not intend to harm Ms Deall, his speeding contributed to her death. She described his manner of driving as a "deliberate and grave error of judgment".
"The decision was made without regard for their safety," Judge Huggett said.
The court heard Belkadi had an extensive history of driving offences and had twice had his licence suspended - once in NSW and once in Queensland.
Between 2012 and 2016, he was found guilty of six speeding offences including one for driving more than 40 km/h over the speed limit.
"Only Mr Belkadi and the others in his car really know what happened that night, the manner and speed of his driving," Mr King said.
"We taught our daughter how to cross the road. Annabelle was an exceptional person and we will continue to gain strength from and inspired by the way she lived her life."
Australian Associated Press
