NSW: Preschool crash driver to face hearing next year

AAP General News (Australia)
12-22-2004
NSW: Preschool crash driver to face hearing next year

By Kim Arlington

SYDNEY, Dec 22 AAP - A driver whose car ploughed into a Sydney pre-school, critically
injuring toddlers Sophie Delezio and Molly Wood, will face a two-day court hearing next
year.

Donald McNeall, 69, has not appeared in court since he was charged with negligent driving
causing grievous bodily harm over the accident on December 15 last year.

McNeall's car caught fire after crashing through the front wall of the Roundhouse Childcare
Centre, at Fairlight on Sydney's northern beaches.

Sophie and Molly, both aged two, were taking a nap ahead of a surprise Christmas visit
from Santa.

They were trapped by the burning car and were rescued by passers-by.

Sophie spent more than six months at The Children's Hospital at Westmead, recovering
from burns to 80 per cent of her body.

She lost both her feet, the fingers on her right hand and her right ear.

Now aged three, Sophie is learning to walk again with the help of prosthetic legs.

Her playmate Molly Wood spent almost three months in the hospital, undergoing a series
of skin graft operations for burns to about 40 per cent of her body.

McNeall, whose driver's licence was suspended in January, has not yet been required
to attend court and is yet to enter a plea.

After a series of delays, his case was today set down in the Downing Centre Local Court
for a two-day hearing.

His lawyer, Michael Marx, applied for a two-day hearing on the charge, saying four
witnesses were expected to appear.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Graeme Henson noted that the matter had proceeded slowly.

"It's been a long time getting to the point of being listed for hearing, Mr Marx, why
is that?" he asked.

Mr Marx replied that there was a delay in serving the brief and arranging for McNeall
to be medically examined by the prosecution and defence.

The case had earlier adjourned while the defence sought an expert mechanical report
on McNeall's Holden Commodore.

Mr Henson said there was public interest in the case and it should be heard as a priority,
but Mr Marx indicated that the earliest date available was in April.

Mr Henson set down the hearing for April 28 and 29 next year.

Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph newspaper last year, McNeall told of his shock at the accident.

"It was a terrible accident, those kids have been on my mind," he said.

AAP ka/nf

KEYWORD: MCNEALL NIGHTLEAD

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