Rohan Dennis seeks to have new judge after driving while disqualified
Former professional cyclist Rohan Dennis will apply for a new sentencing judge to hear his case after he pleaded guilty to driving while banned over the crash that killed his wife.
Former Olympian Rohan Dennis appeared in court on Friday for driving while disqualified. His lawyer, Craig Caldicott, announced Dennis intends to apply for a new sentencing judge. The trial will resume later this month. Dennis pleaded guilty to the charge in July. He was given a suspended sentence and a five-year ban for the incident that led to his wife Melissa Hoskins' death in December 2023.
Hoskins, an Olympian cyclist, was struck by Dennis's car outside their Medindie home in Adelaide. In June, police stopped Dennis while driving with two children in the car near the location of his wife's death. Caldicott said he believed the application for a recusal was "appropriate." He added, "There's nothing wrong with this judge, he's a very good judge.
We just follow the law." Caldicott declined to disclose the reason for the recusal application, but mentioned the possibility of Dennis facing jail time. Prosecutors had dropped charges of causing death by dangerous driving and driving without due care. Instead, Dennis admitted to an aggravated charge of creating a likelihood of harm.
He was given a 17-month prison term, which was suspended if he completed a two-year good-behaviour bond. The breach of bond matter will return to court soon.
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