A drug-affected man who murdered a woman by deliberately driving on the wrong side of a West Australian highway and crashing into her car has been jailed for at least 22 years.
Shaun Southern steered onto the wrong side of Bussell Highway in February last year, killing 61-year-old Jennifer Pratt and seriously injuring her passenger Karen Williams.
Southern, who apologised but said he had no memory of what happened, was sentenced in the WA Supreme Court on Friday to life behind bars.
During the trial Mr Southern's defence counsel Justine Fisher said her client was remorseful and had previously been of good character.
"He is very sorry for what has taken place and has no real explanation for it and can't offer the community any comfort," she said.
But prosecutor Justin Whalley pointed out it was not an accident.
Southern had methylamphetamine and amphetamine in his system when he sped towards several cars, forcing them to swerve, before striking Ms Pratt's vehicle head-on.
Both cars had been driving close to the 110 km/h speed limit before the collision, but Ms Pratt hit the brakes and was travelling at 38 km/h at the point of impact, while Southern was driving at 86 km/h.
[contf]
[contfnew]
Margaret River Mail
[contfnewc]
[contfnewc]
