{"id":153298,"date":"2025-09-19T01:27:10","date_gmt":"2025-09-19T01:27:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/153298\/"},"modified":"2025-09-19T01:27:10","modified_gmt":"2025-09-19T01:27:10","slug":"nt-director-of-public-prosecutions-files-appeal-against-jake-danby-fatal-hit-and-run-sentence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/153298\/","title":{"rendered":"NT Director of Public Prosecutions files appeal against Jake Danby fatal hit-and-run sentence"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Northern Territory’s Director of Public Prosecutions has filed an appeal against the sentence of a fatal hit-and-run driver in Darwin “on the grounds that the sentence is manifestly inadequate”.<\/p>\n

Warning: This story contains content some readers may find distressing and the name of an Indigenous person who has died.<\/p>\n

Jake Danby, 24, avoided jail time on Monday and was sentenced to a 12-month community corrections order, after hitting two Aboriginal pedestrians with his car last June, fleeing the scene, and then boasting about it to friends.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Jake Danby was sentenced in the NT Supreme Court on Monday. (ABC News: Tristan Hooft)<\/p>\n

One of the victims, referred to as Mr Whitehurst for cultural reasons, died in hospital from his injuries.<\/p>\n

In text messages sent hours after the crash, Danby called the victims “dogs” and “oxygen thieves”, prompting outcry from Mr Whitehurst’s family<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Danby described the collision as a “two for one combo” and wrote that it was “pretty funny watching them roll around on the road after going over my bonnet”.<\/p>\n

If you or anyone you know needs help:Suicide Call Back Service<\/a> on 1300 659 467Lifeline<\/a> on 13 11 14Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line 13YARN<\/a>\u00a0on 13 92 76Kids Helpline<\/a> on 1800 551 800Beyond Blue<\/a> on 1300 224 636Headspace<\/a> on 1800 650 890ReachOut<\/a> at au.reachout.com<\/a>MensLine Australia<\/a> on 1300 789 978SANE<\/a>\u00a0on 1800 187 263<\/p>\n

The remarks and Danby’s “lenient” sentence triggered condemnation from groups including the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA).<\/a><\/p>\n

NAAJA chair Theresa Roe said the incident had sparked outrage across the NT’s Aboriginal population.<\/p>\n

“Many Aboriginal people and families from across the NT have contacted NAAJA to express their disgust and dismay about the outcome of this case,” she said.<\/p>\n

In sentencing Danby, NT Supreme Court Justice Sonia Brownhill accepted that he had shown remorse, and took his young age and lack of criminal history into consideration.<\/p>\n

NT attorney-general a relative of Danby<\/p>\n

NT Attorney-General Marie-Clare Boothby has been accused of not properly disclosing a potential conflict of interest after admitting she is a relative of Danby.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Marie-Clare Boothby acknowledged that Danby was a family relation, after the news broke in online outlet NT Independent. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)<\/p>\n

“My sister’s stepson was involved in the June 2024 incident, the subject of which has now gone through the courts,” Ms Boothby said in a statement.<\/p>\n

“At no time have I or my office been involved in the matter, either in opposition or upon change of government.<\/p>\n

“At all times I have acted with integrity in carrying out my functions as attorney-general.”<\/p>\n

Family of hit-and-run victim speak out<\/a><\/p>\n

The family of an Aboriginal man killed in a hit-and-run in Darwin have spoken out about the sentence handed to the man who killed him.<\/p>\n

Ms Boothby was questioned over Danby’s sentencing at a press conference on Thursday, but did not disclose her family connection at that time.<\/p>\n

Shadow Attorney-General Chansey Paech posted a statement on social media, in which he described the lack of disclosure as “disgraceful and appalling that the Northern Territory attorney-general has failed to disclose a clear conflict of interest in the matter”.<\/p>\n

“For a government that talks tough on crime, their silence is deafening,” he said.<\/p>\n

“They cannot claim to be tough on crime while turning a blind eye to such serious integrity issues.”<\/p>\n

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