Man avoids jail time for leaving site of collision

A 47-YEAR-OLD man with a significant traffic history will not serve jail time after he struck Scott “Moses” Bradley and left him for dead near Mossman.

Troy Anthony Salam appeared in Mossman Magistrates Court yesterday and received a wholly suspended three-month jail term for 18 months for driving without due care and attention.

He also received a wholly suspended six-month imprisonment term for 18 months for failing to remain at a road incident and had his licence disqualified for 12 months.

Magistrate Raimund Heggie said the defendant had a poor disregard for road rules and the safety of road users.

Prosecutor Sen-Constable Matthew Mitchell said Salam had a bad traffic history.

“He was convicted of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm when he was 24-years-old and received 240 hours of community service,” Constable Mitchell said.

“His history includes speeding, driving unregistered, unlicensed and driving under the influence.

“He should have seen Mr Bradley on the roadway to avoid the collision like the person who found him.”

Bradley was walking home from his 24th birthday celebrations in Mossman on September 3, 2016, when he was struck by Salam’s 1996 Ford Falcon on Junction St. Bradley’s DNA was located on the vehicle which Mr Salam was driving at the time of the crash.

It was proved that Salam did not stop at the scene and Mr Bradley’s body was found by a motorist some time later.

Mr Haarsma said the defendant was not alleged to have caused Bradley’s death.