“It was so simple to be corrected ... the offender simply had to do his job,” Single said.
The heavy-vehicle regulator alleged the truck company,which is no longer operating,risked public safety and contravened its duties by failing to ensure drivers were assessed and monitored for fatigue,drugs and alcohol.
The prosecution argued Large’s encouragement ofmanager Simiona Tuteru to “get the job done at all costs” was a contributing factor in Singh getting behind the wheel of the truck.
“By failing to comply with his duties,[Large] engaged in conduct on a number of occasions that repeatedly exposed drivers,and later the four police officers,to a risk of death and serious injury,” Single said.
Concerns were raised in the lead-up to the crash about the number of hours worked by some of the drivers,including cases of staff working up to 20 hours a day.
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The prosecution also successfully sought a prohibition order to stop Large working in the transport sector for 12 months after his release.
Large’s lawyers argued his lack of criminal record and the relatively short period covering his offences – which occurred between December 2019 and April 2020 – were mitigating factors.
But Reiss rejected his claims of remorse,noting the tragic events did not appear to have had much of an impact on the former Connect executive.
The magistrate described Large’s actions as “very deceitful and deliberate” with the officers’ deaths the consequence.
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Members of the four officers’ families earlier told of their grief in losing their loved wives,sons and brothers after the hearing moved to a larger courtroom to accommodate those who had travelled from Victoria for the sentence.
Large sat with his head down as Andrew Prestney,the father of 28-year-old Josh Prestney,told the court of the “soul-destroying moment” of finding out his son had been killed.
Large was handcuffed and led from the courtroom after the verdict was read out.