Teenager given suspended sentence for Charlie Stevens’ death in car crash

A 19-year-old who punched and killed South Australian Police Commissioner Grant Stephen’s son at a Schoolies party last year has been given a suspended sentence.

District Court Judge Joanne Treacy ordered Dhirren Randhawa’s sentence of one year, one month and seven days, plus a seven-month non-parole period, to be suspended on the condition that he be of good behavior for two years.

Charlie Stevens suffered multiple injuries, including permanent brain damage, when Randhawa hit him with his car in Goolwa, south of Adelaide, during a Schoolboy celebration on November 17 last year.

Charlie was immediately taken to Flinders Medical Center where he died on November 18th.

Randhawa pleaded guilty to aggravated driving without due care and leaving the scene of an accident at an earlier hearing.

More serious charges of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to answer were dropped.

On Tuesday, Judge Tracey said the sentence she handed down would never amount to the “tragic loss of life” and grief suffered by the Stevens family.

“Given the circumstances of the crimes, I do not lose sight of the terrible loss suffered,” she said.

“Charlie Stevens was just 18 and had a bright future ahead of him.

“He was much loved and his family will always be heartbroken.

“Nothing said or done here today will heal their pain.”

Judge Treacy, describing the events of November 17, 2023, said Charlie and three of his friends asked Randhawa to give them a lift to Beach Road but had a “friendly” conversation and refused.

Randhawa drove off before turning back towards Victor Harbor when he hit Charlie in the southbound lane.

Judge Treacy said it was accepted that Randhawa was accelerating at the time, but he was not found to be speeding.

“You accelerated as you approached – the youths moved west to the side of the road and you moved into the southbound lane to pass at a safe distance,” she said.

Judge Treacy said Randhawa failed to identify Charlie on the east side of Beach Road, but when he finally did he was careful not to hit him.

“When you first saw him, you didn’t immediately brake or speed up, but turned in a northwest direction away from him to avoid hitting him, but you failed,” she said.

Judge Treacy said Randhawa’s psychological report, prepared by forensic psychologist Luke Broomhall, said the 19-year-old’s failure to stop could be linked to a previous traumatic event in 2021 when he was attacked by a group of men.

“You told Mr Broomhall that when you hit Charlie with the right side of the car you slowed down but heard screams behind you and were immediately afraid of the group’s reaction,” she said.

“You are saying that you believe the group poses a threat to you and your girlfriend’s safety and that you have decided not to stop.”

Randhawa probably panicked

Judge Treacy said Randhawa continued driving along Beach Road before turning into a lane and calling his mother, who advised him to call the police.

“Immediately after speaking with the police, you identified yourself and stated that you hit someone with your car,” she said.

Judge Treacy said Randhawa accepted “he could have done more to avoid this tragic outcome” and that he had “no intention of harming anyone that night.”

“You failed to stop… out of some fear that you would be found using alcohol or drugs,” she said.

“However, you realized that your car had hit someone and you were obligated to stop, both morally and legally.

“I accept that at the time you probably panicked and were taken aback when you made the very stupid decision to continue driving.”

Judge Treacy said Randhawa developed symptoms of trauma following the incident and met diagnostic criteria for adjustment disorder.

She said Director of Public Prosecutions Martin Hinton C.C. and Jane Abbey K.S. Randhawa admits that his prospects for rehabilitation are “undoubtedly very good” and that his “repentance is undoubtedly sincere.”

“It’s generally accepted that you should pay more attention to any risk that might be on the other side of the road,” she said.

“(I hope) the circumstances here will provide an opportunity for all road users to reflect on the devastating consequences of careless driving and serve as a powerful reminder to all drivers of the onerous responsibility we have as road users.

“The sentence I impose should show offenders what society and the law expect.”

Judge Treacy said she had “no doubt” the grief caused to Charlie’s friends and family weighed heavily on Randhawa.

“Your guilty plea saved those who were there that night from reliving the horror of what they witnessed,” she said.

“Difficult, stressful and emotional for our family.”

Commissioner Stevens and his family addressed the media outside court after the sentencing and said they were grateful that this part of the trial had been completed.

“Each upcoming trial has been difficult, stressful and emotional for our family,” Commissioner Stevens 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.

“It doesn’t get any easier and I’m sure people who have lost a child will appreciate it.”

Randhawa will not be allowed to have a driver’s license until at least 2034.