THE girlfriend of truck driver Kenneth Pillar avoided an immediate jail term when sentenced on Tuesday for falsely stating that her partner had a coughing fit before he crashed into a Mount Gambier school teacher’s vehicle, killing the driver.
Belinda Lee Thornton, 32, appeared in the Adelaide District Court to be sentenced for one count of attempting to pervert the court of justice.
The charge related to a fatal crash when Thornton was the passenger in Pillar’s truck on June 16, 2015.
Pillar was driving the semi-trailer over the Swanport Bridge in Murray Bridge when he lost concentration and drove his vehicle onto the wrong side of the road.
As a result, he crashed into a car driven by Mount Gambier woman Maria Dowdell and she died at the scene.
Pillar told witnesses at the crash scene Thornton said he had a coughing fit at the time of the accident.
Thornton confirmed this version of events when interviewed by police that night at the hospital.
Judge Sophie David said in her sentencing remarks that the explanation by Thornton was untruthful.
“You continued to advance your false version of events to medical specialists for many months and at a time after you and your partner had been charged with criminal offences and after the relevant court proceedings had commenced in respect of both of you,” Judge David said.
“Your conduct had the potential to derail the investigation of a very serious crime during which Ms Dowdell lost her life and also had the potential to pervert the course of justice.”
Three victim impact statements from family members of Ms Dowdell were read by Judge David in court.
“Your conduct exacerbated the pain felt by each family member in coming to terms with the loss of their beloved family member and again had the potential to pervert the course of justice,” Judge David said.
Judge David gave Thornton credit for eventually pleading guilty to the charge and preventing the family more stress with another court trial.
“I am told that the collision and the death of Ms Dowdell has had a profound effect upon you and that you are genuinely remorseful for your offending conduct,” Judge David said.
“You have pleaded guilty and you have spared the witnesses, and Ms Dowdell’s family, a further trial, which is to your credit.”
Thornton was sentenced to six months imprisonment, which was suspended on the defendant entering a $100, two year good behaviour bond.
“Such offending strikes at the very heart of the criminal justice system and has the potential to undermine the efficacy and justice of our system,” Judge David said.
“The sentence I impose must deter not only you, but others from offending behaviour such as yours.”
