Driver who killed four children while drunk will plead guilty
Three of the children killed in the Oatlands crash – Sienna, Antony and Angelina Abdallah. Photo: 10
A man who killed four children in a car crash in Sydney’s west will plead guilty to seven charges, including four of manslaughter.
Samuel Davidson, 30, is accused of having a blood-alcohol level three times the legal limit when his four-wheel drive hit the children on a footpath at Oatlands in early February.
Siblings Antony, 13, Angelina, 12 and Sienna, 9, and their cousin Veronique Sakr, 11, were going to a shop to buy ice-cream and were killed at the scene.
Court documents revealed Davidson had cocaine and MDMA in his system as well as alcohol.
On Thursday, Davidson indicated he would plead guilty to four charges of manslaughter, and three other offences, including dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.
He appeared in court via video link wearing prison greens and looked tidy and appeared calm.
When the judge asked him if his lawyer’s statement that he was indicating a plea of guilty was accurate, he simply answered “yes, your magistrate”.
The family of the children who were killed were not present at Parramatta Court on Thursday.
They have previously said that they would not attend any of Davidson’s court hearings.
“We’re determined to spend time with our children who are still with us and remain in constant prayer for the strength we need to see us through this time,” Daniel Abdallah, the father of three of the four children who died, said after the crash.
“Our trust is in the Australian judicial system.”
Antony, 13, Angelina, 12 and eight-year-old Sienna Abdallah shared a single funeral.
Earlier this year, Mr Abdallah said the family had forgiven Davidson.
The family made several public appearances after the crash and mourned openly with the community, who established memorials and held vigils.
Hundreds of bunches of flowers, balloons and candles were left at the crash site and Mr Adballah and his wife Leila visited the area in the aftermath to read the tributes that had been left.
Toys such as basketballs were also left at the memorial – Mr Abdallah said his son Antony was a fan of NBA star Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash the week before.
A memorial was also held for the three children’s cousin Veronique at Santa Sabina College in Strathfield, where she was a year 6 student.
“Veronique had a smile for everyone and loved chatting and laughing with her friends,” the school’s principal Paulina Skerman said.
“She was involved in the social justice leadership team last year and showed genuine concern for others and was always willing to lend a helping hand.”
At the time of the crash, the driver’s parents – retired detective Allan Davidson and his wife Kay – said their son had “a good heart” and were heartbroken over the incident.
“We’re absolutely devastated for the loss of those children, ” Allan Davidson said.
“Those poor families have lost their children; no words can help them and I’m so sorry to them.”
Davidson didn’t apply for bail and his matter will return to court on October 22.