Driver jailed for four-and-a-half years over death of passenger

Richard Wani Adlam, 31, was sentenced to four years and six months for manslaughter. Photo / Manawatu Guardian

The whanau of a 13-year old girl have spoken of how her death last year has left them "with shattered dreams, struggling, broken, and torn apart".

Victim impact statements from the family of Te Rihira McGhie, 13, were read to Justice Simon France in the High Court at Palmerston North today as Richard Wani Adlam, 31, was sentenced for her manslaughter.

Adlam was given four years and six months in prison for the manslaughter of Te Rihira, who was a passenger in his car, and for dangerous driving causing injury to Paul McMahon, when he drove and crashed his unwarranted and unlicensed vehicle on November 10 last year.

Adlam's license restricted him from carrying passengers.

Adlam was subjected to the three strike law with the first strike on the manslaughter charge, disqualified from driving for four years on his release from prison and forfeiture of his vehicle.

Adlam bowed his head throughout the reading of the four victim impact reports from Te Rihira's parents and her older sister, who also read a statement from Te Rihira's grandmother.

Te Rihira was described by her sister as "a beautiful young lady with a big heart who cared deeply about people".

Justice France told Adlam he had an appalling driving record and numerous driving offences that spanned 12 years.

Adlam drove 11 times while disqualified.

Adlam had swapped a playstation for a Subaru Legacy a month before the November 10 crash, but was told to tow it because the right front brake had seized.

He attempted to fix the brake hose with a clamp and continued to drive the vehicle.

On November 10, Adlam who was a neighbour of the McGhies, had offered to drive Te Rihira to a friends and then back to school.

He drove his vehicle between Otaki and Levin on a road where the tar seal ended.

Adlam's vehicle slid down a bank and into oncoming traffic. His vehicle collided head-on with Paul McMahons' vehicle. Te Rihira died at the scene and Mr McMahon continues to suffer health issues from the accident.