Sydney mum jailed for fatally running down abusive ex-husband
Miklos Bolza
A woman who ran over her abusive ex-husband cried when she learned she could be released from prison in a few months.
Samantha Hooker, née Stone, accelerated her car towards her ex-husband on August 8, 2023, mounted a curb and pinned him against the wall of a house in Schofields in Sydney’s west.
Peter Hooker was seriously injured and died of sepsis more than three weeks later.
On Friday, the 47-year-old former pathology worker wept in the NSW Supreme Court docket as he was sentenced.
Judge Hament Dhanji found that Peter Hooker had engaged in an ongoing campaign of intimidation and provocation against his partner, which left Peter Hooker feeling powerless as he refused to end the relationship.
This weakness turned into anger and rage, causing him to lose control during the confrontation in August 2023, the judge found.
He said Peter Hooker’s misuse of alcohol and illicit drugs, including the supply of drugs, had increased his wife’s mental distress.
“It can be said that the relationship is toxic,” Dhanji said.
He took these circumstances into account when reducing Samantha Hooker’s sentence to a maximum of three years and nine months.
His two-year non-parole period has been backdated to take into account time he has already spent in custody and under house arrest, meaning he could be released on November 22.
Samantha Hooker was found not guilty of murder in March after a jury heard she had suffered extreme provocation and suffered a serious mental disorder following years of abuse.
He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter.
According to information Dhanji heard in April, Samantha Hooker went to her ex-husband’s house the day he ran over her and physically assaulted her.
Drone footage played to the court during the hearing showed the path he took as he walked towards his ex-partner.
While tire tracks can be seen on the pavement, a silver hatchback bearing the Medlab Pathology brand remains with its front end crashed into the side of the brick house.
If you or someone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (and see lifeline.org.au), national domestic, domestic and sexual violence counselling, information and support service 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or call the Child Helpline on 1800 551 800.
AAP
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