AN ECHUCA motorcyclist jailed for seven years after leaving a pedestrian for dead in a horrific hit-and-run more than two years ago has appealed his sentence.
Joshua Abbott, 26, appeared in Melbourne’s Court of Appeal on Thursday, May 13, for the hearing.
Abbott was sentenced to a non-parole period of five years, with 321 days already served, after pleading guilty in Bendigo County Court in February last year to negligent driving causing serious injury, failing to stop and render assistance, and driving while disqualified.
Abbott was riding an unregistered black dirt bike on the walking track between Campaspe Esplanade and McKenzie St about 12.15am on March 10, 2019, when he hit then 39-year-old Humes employee Joel Beech.
Abbott was driving between 41 and 50km/h with no lights when Mr Beech was hit.
Witnesses helped both men, but Abbott fled the scene on his motorbike without helping Mr Beech.
The collision left the former concreter with severe traumatic brain injuries, multiple facial, neck, pelvic and elbow fractures and chest and abdominal injuries.
He spent nine months in hospital.
Judge Sarah Dawes told the court at the time Mr Beech’s cognitive impairment was ‘‘severe enough to require formal support in all aspects of his life in the future’’.
‘‘Your conduct has caused the victim irreversible sadness and pain,’’ she said.
‘‘In his own words, the injuries you have caused Joel Beech have taken his life away from him.’’
At Thursday’s appeal hearing, Justice Phillip Priest and Justice Richard Niall reserved their judgments.
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