Parents talk of 'exhausting' ordeal as disqualified driver sentenced again

Dylan Chad (L) pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Tyler Hoyle (R) who died on August 1, 2013. Photo / Supplied via Facebook

The parents of a teenager killed in a street race have spoken about the "exhausting" ordeal of watching the man who pleaded guilty to his manslaughter go through court again.

In February last year, Dylan Chad, 19, was disqualified from driving for three years after admitting the manslaughter of his best friend Tyler Hoyle in the High Court at Auckland.

But in June - not even halfway through the ban - he was caught behind the wheel by police in Massey.

At Waitakere District Court this afternoon he was sentenced to 150 hours community work, six months supervision and another six months disqualification from driving.

Tyler's parents Eileen and David Hoyle were in court and said they were content with the outcome but drained by the process.

"It's very exhausting. You can't switch your emotions off," Mr Hoyle said.

Mrs Hoyle spent the year after her son's death doing all she could to support the two boys responsible and despite feeling let down she was still concerned about Chad's welfare.

"The main thing is I just want him to learn from it," she said.

"He might be 19 but he needs that extra support. He needs more structure."

Judge Lisa Tremewan said she was satisfied Chad was "sincerely remorseful" but Mrs Hoyle was not convinced.

The defendant had not apologised to the family for his recent offending and the couple were frustrated he had refused to even look at them in court.

It had been particularly difficult with the recent court matters coinciding with the second anniversary of Tyler's death.

"It couldn't have been at a worse time. I know people say it all the time but I really wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy," Mr Hoyle said.

In February last year Chad and his friend Calum Elliot, 20, jointly pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

The pair were racing each other on Scott Rd in Hobsonville on August 1, 2013 when Tyler was struck by Elliot's vehicle and died instantly.

They were both sentenced to nine months home detention and a three-year driving ban.

Waimumu Rd, where Chad was caught driving recently, is only 10 minutes away from where the fatal accident happened.

He was spotted by police - due to the "manner of his driving" - entering a roundabout and was promptly pulled over.

When asked why he was behind the wheel in contravention of the court-imposed order, Chad said he was "just going to collect a couple of PlayStation games from a friend".

Judge Lisa Tremewen said it was of concern that his poor driving had been the reason he was stopped and she described his motive for driving as "trivial".

The teen's lawyer Bridie Murphy told the court about her client's fragile mental state and said the offending had been a "lapse in judgement".

He had since sold the car and spent the $2000 to make sure he could not buy another, she said.

Chad's driving ban will now end in August 2017.

"Clearly Mr Chad, you should be warned, any further breaches of those orders would be taken very seriously," the judge said.