The tourist driver who caused the death of Oamaru 5-year-old Ruby Marris is appealing his jail sentence.
Jing Cao (32), of China, was jailed for 18 months by Judge Kevin Phillips in the Dunedin District Court on Tuesday, for dangerous driving causing the death of Ruby.
Cao crashed into the Marris family's station wagon in his rented Ford Ranger on February1 near Moeraki.
An appeal against the sentence was lodged with the Christchurch High Court yesterday.
When contacted by the Otago Daily Times yesterday, defence counsel Anne Stevens confirmed the appeal had been lodged. She referred all comment to Cao's solicitor Kane Wang.
Mr Wang said yesterday afternoon he could not comment without the approval of his legal partner in Auckland.
When contacted later, he said: ''It's outside work hours, so I probably can't talk to you now''.
The Marris family asked for time to process the news when contacted yesterday.
In April, Cao pleaded guilty to one charge of dangerous driving causing death and five charges of dangerous driving causing injury.
Cao had driven on the wrong side of the road for more than 400m when he collided with the Marris family's car in February.
Ruby's parents, Tristan and Kimberley, suffered serious injuries from the crash and her sisters, Georgia (9) and Sophie (7), sustained moderate injuries.
In addition to his jail sentence, Cao was ordered to pay $27,500 emotional harm reparation to the Marris family and further reparations of $34,390.
A High Court registrar said the appeal was lodged in Christchurch but was transferred to the High Court at Dunedin.
No hearing date was set for the appeal.
- Otago Daily Times
It's understood a NZDF aircraft and multiple helicopters are involved.