Ex-world champion cyclist avoids jail over death of Olympian wife

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Former Olympic cyclist and satellite champion Rohan Dennis received a suspended condemnation connected Wednesday implicit what was termed a "tragic accident" that led to the death of his wife, chap Olympian Melissa Hoskins.

The 34-year-old Dennis appeared successful South Australia District Court aft earlier pleading blameworthy to a complaint of committing an aggravated enactment apt to origin harm.

Dennis was arrested aft Hoskins, 32, was struck by his conveyance successful beforehand of their location astatine Medindie successful Adelaide's northbound connected Dec. 30, 2023. Hoskins suffered superior injuries successful the clang and died astatine Royal Adelaide Hospital.

The tribunal was told that the mates had argued implicit room renovations earlier Dennis near their location and drove away. The tribunal besides heard that Hoskins had jumped onto the hood of the car during the incident.

Dennis connected Wednesday was sentenced to 1 year, 4 months and 28 days successful jail, to beryllium suspended for 2 years. The condemnation was reduced from 2 years and 2 months due to the fact that of his blameworthy plea and he's been placed connected a two-year bully behaviour bond.

His licence was besides suspended for 5 years.

"I judge you person a consciousness of work for each that occurred, I judge you person anguished implicit what could person been antithetic if you had acted successful immoderate different way," Judge Ian Press said Wednesday.

Dennis showed small emotion erstwhile Press sentenced him.

"Given your plea of guilty, your remorse, that you are the sole carer for your young children, and fixed each your different idiosyncratic circumstances and the circumstances of the offending, I americium satisfied that bully crushed exists to suspend that sentence," the justice said.

The discourtesy carried a maximum condemnation of 7 years successful jailhouse but lawyer Jane Abbey asked that her lawsuit person a suspended sentence, which was not opposed by the prosecution.

During sentencing submissions successful in April, Amanda Hoskins said her girl had loved Dennis "and I cognize that you would ne'er intentionally wounded her."

"I judge this is simply a tragic accident. Your temper is your downfall and needs to beryllium addressed," she said.

Hoskins' parents spoke extracurricular the tribunal aft sentencing connected Wednesday, saying they were "glad" the lawsuit was implicit and they hoped the household could "move on," the BBC reported.

Hoskins' begetter said the household was yet to person an apology from Dennis, but expected it "will travel with time," the BBC reported. He said it was important for the mates to person a "well-mannered relationship" with Dennis going forward.

Hoskins and Dennis person 2 children, the BBC reported.

"There are 2 young children caught up successful this tragedy... Clearly, we privation to proceed to beryllium an integral portion of [the] children's lives and their future," Hoskins' begetter said.

Hoskins' ceremonial was held successful her location metropolis of Perth, Western Australia and a nationalist memorial work was held successful Adelaide successful February 2024. Dennis attended the work with their 2 children.

Hoskins competed astatine the 2012 and 2016 Olympics connected the way successful the squad pursuit and was successful the squad that won the 2015 satellite title. At the 2016 Games, she was hospitalized aft being progressive successful a high-speed clang astatine the Olympic Velodrome during training, Australian nationalist broadcaster ABC reported.

Dennis won 2 satellite titles successful the roadworthy clip trial, arsenic good arsenic metallic successful the squad pursuit astatine the 2012 Olympics and bronze successful the roadworthy clip proceedings astatine the Tokyo Olympics.