At an earlier sentence hearing, Harding’s brother Michael Grech brought his brother’s ashes into the courtroom.
One by one, his family members testified about the devastating impact of Harding’s death, as well as his kindness, generosity and compassion.
His sister, Stephanie Grech, said she was working a police shift when she heard about a fatal road rage incident over her radio. Upon checking the details of the cars involved, she realised it was her “baby brother” and cried out in pain.
She said that while her brother would want her to forgive Wilkinson, she did not know if she ever could.
His mother, Mary Harding, said her son would wake up daily at 4.30am to make her breakfast, adding there was “not enough paper or ink that would fulfil the person he was”.
His father, John Harding, described his son as “the glue” that held his family together.
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“As a parent, you don’t ever think you’re going to organise your own child’s funeral,” he said.
Earlier this year, Wilkinson pleaded guilty to manslaughter and failure to stop and assist after a vehicle impact causing death.
On Monday, Acting Judge Paul Conlon said he was satisfied that Wilkinson’s expressions of remorse to Harding’s family in letters tendered to the court were genuine.
Conlon said the Crown pointed to Wilkinson’s prior criminal record, which included cases of “acting in a violent and threatening manner”, resulting in several common assault and stalking convictions between 2006 and 2014.
The Crown submitted these past crimes would contribute negatively to his prospect of rehabilitation.
In earlier sentencing submissions, Wilkinson’s lawyer suggested Wilkinson did not intend to kill or cause grievous bodily harm.
Following Harding’s death, Sydney woman Stacey Disbray described Harding as her “best friend”. She told the Herald he was a funny and dedicated man who helped raise her young children.
“There was never a time he didn’t think of everyone else above himself,” she said at the time.
“He was an amazing, one-of-a-kind man who has left everyone who loved him absolutely shattered.”
Conlon sentenced Wilkinson to an aggregate term of 16 years’ prison, expiring on June 20, 2040.
His non-parole period will make him eligible for parole on June 20, 2036.
Once released, he will face a 12-month licence disqualification.
With AAP
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