Former Olympic cyclist and world champion Rohan Dennis was handed a suspended prison sentence on Wednesday over the death of his wife, fellow Olympian Melissa Hoskins, in what a South Australian court described as a “tragic accident,” as per Al Jazeera.
Dennis, 34, appeared before the South Australia District Court after pleading guilty to a charge of committing an aggravated act likely to cause harm. The charge stemmed from an incident on December 30, 2023, when Hoskins, 32, was fatally struck by Dennis’s vehicle outside their home in Medindie, a suburb of Adelaide.
According to court proceedings, the couple had been arguing over kitchen renovations prior to the incident. As Dennis drove away from the home, Hoskins reportedly jumped onto the hood of the vehicle. She suffered serious injuries and died shortly after at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
Dennis was sentenced to one year, four months, and 28 days in prison, with the sentence suspended for two years. The judge cited Dennis’s guilty plea, remorse, and responsibilities as the sole caregiver for his two young children as reasons for the suspension. He was also placed on a two-year good behaviour bond and had his driver’s licence suspended for five years.
“I accept you have a sense of responsibility for all that occurred,” Judge Ian Press said during sentencing. “I accept you have anguished over what could have been different if you had acted in some other way.”
The offence carried a maximum penalty of seven years in prison. Dennis’s lawyer, Jane Abbey, successfully argued for a suspended sentence, a proposal not opposed by the prosecution.
During earlier sentencing submissions in April, Melissa Hoskins’ mother, Amanda Hoskins, described her daughter’s love for Dennis and called the incident a tragic accident.
Melissa Hoskins was a two-time Olympian who competed in the team pursuit events at the 2012 and 2016 Games. She was part of the Australian team that won the 2015 World Championship in the same discipline. Dennis is a decorated cyclist, having claimed two world titles in the road time trial and Olympic medals at both the London and Tokyo Games.
A funeral for Hoskins was held in her hometown of Perth, with a public memorial also taking place in Adelaide in February 2024. Dennis attended the service with their children.
