Ausi driver jailed for killing Lankan

4 March 2011 03:40 am

A 31-year-old heroin addict with extensive driving convictions has been sentenced to eight years in prison for the hit-run death of a Sri Lankan refugeen Australia .

Thiruvadivel Sriskantharajah's was struck by a car driven by Jarrett Swan at a level crossing in Dandenong in January, 2009.

The Sri Lankan refugee was thrown 27 metres in the air and died at the scene.

He had only been in Australia for six months, after being tortured in his homeland.

The Victorian County Court heard Swan was speeding, fatigued and affected by heroin when he failed to stop.

In sentencing, County Court Judge Gabriele Canon, rejected Swan's account that the sun was in his eyes and he believed someone had thrown a rock at his car.

She sentenced Swan to eight years in prison, with a minimum of six years.

ABC news