In his sentencing reasons, Wraight noted the light had been red for four to five seconds before Ghali’s car struck the little girl.
“Four to five seconds can be a significant period of time,” the judge said.
A child’s scooter at the scene of the crash in October 2024.Credit: Joe Armao
“I do not accept the offending is at the lower level.”
But the judge found the case was a clear example of an otherwise safe and competent driver not paying proper attention.
Wraight noted the eloquent and moving statement of Mila’s mother, Wenna Lin, who described the emptiness in her life now that her youngest daughter’s laughter and joy was gone.
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The judge told Mila’s family, who were watching on a video link, the sentence he imposed would never reflect the value of the three-year-old’s life.
Their pain was one factor he had to consider in sentencing, he said, and he needed to consider Ghali’s age, lack of prior offending and very strong prospects of rehabilitation.
Ghali was not speeding or using his phone at the time of the crash and was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
He was diagnosed with an adjustment disorder following the offending, which Wraight accepted would make his time in jail more difficult.
Ghali rubbed his eyes throughout the hearing and dropped his head as he learnt of his sentence.
Dozens of his friends and family members packed the court, and they called out their love as he was led from the room by guards.
AAP
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