Tears as mum jailed for fatally running down abusive ex
A woman who lost control and fatally ran down her abusive ex-husband sobbed as she learned she could be released from prison in a few months.
Samantha Hooker accelerated towards her ex-husband Peter, mounting a pavement and pinning him against the wall of a home at Schofields in Sydney’s west on August 8, 2023.
Samantha Hooker has been sentenced to three years and nine months in prison for the manslaughter of her abusive ex-husband. Bianca De Marchi
Mr Hooker suffered serious injuries and died from sepsis more than three weeks later.
On Friday, his former wife – 47-year-old former pathology worker – was seen sobbing next to a support person in the dock at the NSW Supreme Court as she was sentenced.
Justice Hament Dhanji found Mr Hooker engaged in a continuing campaign of intimidation and provocation against his partner, leading to her to feel powerless as he refused to end the relationship.
This powerlessness transformed into anger and rage, leading her to lose control during the confrontation on August 2023, the judge found.
Mr Hooker’s abuse of alcohol and illegal drugs, including drug supply, added to his spouse’s mental strife, he said.
“What can be said … is that the relationship was toxic,” Dhanji said.
He took into consideration those circumstances when he reduced Hooker’s sentence, imposing a maximum term of three years and nine months.
Her two-year non-parole period was backdated to account for the time already served in custody and home detention, meaning Hooker will be eligible for release on November 22.
She was found not guilty of murder in March after a jury heard she had experienced extreme provocation and a significant mental impairment following years of abuse.
Hooker pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.
On the day she ran over her ex-husband, Hooker drove to his home and was physically violent towards him, Dhanji heard in April.
Drone footage played to the court during the trial showed the route she took driving at her ex-husband.
Tyre marks were seen on the pavement while the silver hatchback with Medlab Pathology branding sits with its front end smashed against the side of the brick house.
Support is available by calling 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline on 13 11 14, the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.
AAP
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