A man whose dangerous driving caused the death of his 17-year-old cousin has been jailed for two years and four months despite a plea for leniency from his lawyer.
Anaru Daly, 19, was sentenced in the Wellington District Court this morning on several charges, including dangerous driving causing the death of Layton Ngatai.
Daly was driving at 120km/h in an 80km/h area in May last year when the car slid across the road and hit a bank, killing his cousin and causing serious brain injuries to a 17-year-old female passenger.
Daly had never held a driver's licence and had cannabis in his system.
His lawyer, Lucy Scott, said Daly had a difficult upbringing, was assessed as being at a low risk of reoffending, and urged the Court to take a merciful approach.
Judge Bill Hastings said Daly had initially claimed his dead cousin had been driving and was responsible for the crash.
He said a jail term must be imposed to hold him accountable for his actions and deter others from similar behaviour.
