THE skipper of a boat which accidentally backed over a passenger causing his death in December, 2013, has been placed on an 18-month community correction order, which includes performing 200 hours of unpaid community work. Justice Croucher made the order in the Supreme Court, Friday.
Tori Mackinnon, 31, who had pleaded guilty to a charge of driving a vessel in a dangerous manner causing death, was told her profound remorse, previous good character, excellent prospects of rehabilitation, guilty plea, and the fact prison could worsen her fragile mental state, had influenced his decision.
Paul McVeigh, 60, was killed when he jumped into the water off Portsea while Mackinnon was reversing the 21-metre Moonraker. He was swept under the boat and into the propeller and died soon after of his injuries.
Ms Mackinnon, of Sorrento, had been due to stand trial next month charged with culpable driving causing death but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 27 October 2015