Charlie Stevens | Dhirren Singh Randhawa: Teen driver avoids jail over top cop’s son’s death

Dhirren Singh Randhawa, 19, from Encounter Bay, stood silently in the dock as he was sentenced in the South African District Court today to one year, one month and seven days’ imprisonment with a seven-month non-parole period.

The sentence was suspended on the condition that he be of good behavior for two years and he was banned from driving for 10 years.

Judge Joan Treacy warned Randhawa that if he breached the ban it would be “almost inevitable” he would go to prison.

Charlie Stevens died from a permanent brain injury he suffered when Randhawa hit him with a car.

Judge Treacy said Randhawa reacted with “shock and disbelief” as he left the crash site.

He was also affected by an incident that happened in 2021 when he was attacked by a group of men and feared for his life, which made him nervous and vigilant in public.

The judge said she needed to “balance personal issues, the circumstances and seriousness of the crime, the tragic loss of life, the impact on Charlie Stevens’ family and friends, and the overall principles and purposes of sentencing” when imposing a sentence. “.

She “did not lose sight of the terrible loss she had suffered.”

“Charlie Stevens was just 18 and had a bright future ahead of him,” she said.

“He was much loved and his family will always be heartbroken, nothing said or done here today will heal their pain.”

Outside court, South Australian Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said it was a “very true statement”.

“We are grateful that this part of the entire process is complete. Every court hearing has been difficult, stressful and emotional for our family,” he said.

“We are grateful that Dirren decided to plead guilty to this offense because it resulted in this part of the case being resolved much more quickly.

“We continue to learn to live every single day without Charlie. It doesn’t get any easier.”

He said the family was grateful for the support and compassion of the South Australian community.

“And we continue to get it every single day,” he said.

Expert reports, including toxicology results, showed there were no drugs or alcohol in Randhawa’s system.

The psychologist’s report noted that he exhibited symptoms of trauma related to the accident and concluded that he met criteria for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood.

Character profiles described Randhawa as trustworthy, respectful and conscientious.

Leaving the court, he did not comment on the situation.

“To Charlie’s mom and dad, seeing you on TV and talking about Charlie made me feel deep sadness,” he said.