A 40-year-old man has been sentenced to nearly eight years in jail after a hit-and-run killed a "widely-loved" Ballarat grandfather.
David Thomson was killed while riding a bicycle on his way to work on October 21, 2021.
Bradley John Spark was driving an unregistered vehicle at high speed through the streets of Delacombe while unlicensed, when he crossed onto the wrong side of the road and hit Mr Thomson.
Spark hid from police for nearly a week after the incident.
He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving occasioning death, failing to stop and failing to render assistance at the scene in September.
This morning in Melbourne County Court, Spark received a total effective sentence of seven-and-a-half years, with a minimum parole period of five years.
The former concreter has already served more than a year in custody.
David Thomson remembered
Mr Thomson's daughter Sophie, a police officer, stopped to render assistance at the scene of the hit-and-run.
In a victim impact statement, she spoke of how she suffered crippling panic attacks for months after.
In sentencing, Judge Peter Lauritsen spoke of the "greatly missed" Ballarat man, remembered for being a loving grandfather, avid cricketer, and devoted husband.
"My dad was my whole world," said Judge Lauritsen, quoting Ms Thomson's letter.
"This tragic incident impacted every aspect of my life."
Years of prior offending
In sentencing remarks, Judge Lauritsen spoke of Spark's happy childhood and how his life spiralled after he started clubbing and 'using party drugs' in his twenties.
Spark continually denied involvement in the hit-and run after he was arrested in October 2021.
He instead claimed the car had broken down that morning and was stolen.
"This version [of events] is nonsense. You did the opposite of cooperating with police," Judge Lauritsen said.
The judge said Spark had low prospects of rehabilitation and had previously been imprisoned on eight separate occasions.
Spark also had his licence disqualified for a minimum of eight years.
