A chorus of sobs has met the sentencing of a young man to three months' jail for accidentally killing his friend while drunkenly joy-riding in Queensland.
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Dylan Luke Stubberfield, 19, had pleaded guilty to dangerous driving while intoxicated, causing the death of Clancy Shannon.
Mr Shannon, 19, fell from the tray of a ute driven by Stubberfield on March 2 on North Stradbroke Island's Main Beach.
His parents did not want Stubberfield to be imprisoned over the death of their son.
Mike Shannon told the court his family was beyond devastated but wanted to ease further pain on their island community.
"I have to say I've made the exact same poor choice myself as a young man," Mr Shannon said.
"I do not hold any malice towards Dylan and I can't see the benefit in jail time for Dylan. I feel it would do more harm than good."
Mr Shannon's mother Donna also defended Stubberfield, saying he worked for her part-time and she thought well of him.
"The biggest challenge (our family) faces is that Clancy is no longer physically with us," she said.
"Dylan Stubberfield is here and is well-loved in this tight-knit community."
Crown prosecutor Vicky Loury QC called for between five and eight years' jail as a general deterrent for drunk, joy-riding teens.
"Sadly, this offence is not uncommonly committed by young men who come from good families and who are remorseful," Ms Loury said.
Judge Anthony Rafter SC agreed.
"This is a tragic case. You were good friends," Judge Rafter told Stubberfield.
"Young men, many who have no prior convictions, are over-represented in this type of offence. That is why general deterrence is an important consideration."
The judge imposed a penalty of four years' prison, suspended after three months, prompting sobs from the packed public gallery.
The court was earlier told Stubberfield had been drinking heavily in the lead-up to the incident.
He was urged by one of his other friends not to drive that night, but took about nine of his friends on a joy-ride down the beach, with fatal consequences.
He blew 0.129 blood alcohol content when breathalysed by police soon after the incident and the court was told he co-operated at all times with the investigation.
He'll now spend Christmas behind bars, with both families involved now denied their sons for the holiday season, one permanently.
Australian Associated Press
