“Just a few seconds of distraction, that is all it took to destroy Mr Walter’s world as he knew it,” Judge Clare said. “You had four young children in the car, you were rounding a bend in the road. Those circumstances called for even greater care, not less.” As Ms Roche sat in the dock holding back tears, the court heard the devastating long-term impact of the crash on Mr Walters. “After surgery and intensive care, he spent seven months in the spinal rehabilitation unit, he was left with paralysis of the legs and lower bodily functions and chronic pain,” Judge Clare said. “He requires a carer and ongoing therapies, the family savings have been eaten up.

“Every day is a struggle with deprivations and indignities. “He suffers overwhelming loss, concern for his family and a dark hopelessness.” Graham Walters going home after his long stint in hospital. Credit:gofundme.com Judge Clare noted the “deep remorse” Ms Roche had expressed, from her frank admissions immediately after the crash to pleading guilty to causing Mr Walters’ devastating injuries. “At the time of the events, you were struggling under a weighty load,” she said.

“You have care of four young children, there are behavioural and learning issues for some of them. “You are being treated for depression and your condition has worsened under the weight of this offence.” Judge Clare said every driver should hear stories like Mr Walters’ to “understand and remember the heavy responsibility of being behind the wheel”. “Emergency service statistics tell us that driver distraction by mobile phones is a serious problem on the roads - that suggests that many people still do not appreciate the deadly risk that they take until it is too late,” she said. “As this case demonstrates, a few moments of distraction by an otherwise good person can produce horrendous and unending suffering.”

Driver distraction and inattention contributed to 28 fatalities and 22,269 driver distraction offences on Queensland roads in 2016, according to state government data. Ms Roche was sentenced to two-and-a-half years’ imprisonment, suspended immediately and disqualified from holding a licence for two years. A conviction was recorded. Katherine Roche leaves Brisbane Supreme Court on Friday. Credit:7 News Brisbane. Judge Clare noted the consequences of a driving offence should be recognised during sentencing but it could not "overwhelm the sentence”. “Our system of criminal justice is not based on an eye for an eye, sentences in this court must be imposed in accordance with the purposes of sentencing set out in ... the Penalties and Sentences Act,” she said.

“General deterrence is important because it is needed to prevent other drivers from presenting a similar danger. “Perhaps the strongest deterrent impact will come from public awareness, the reminder that any of us could end up in the same dock if we do not remain alert and careful at all times.” Before the crash, Graham Walters (left) was part of the Vision Crusaders cancer charity cycling team, which managed to raise more than $1m for research. Credit:gofundme.com Outside court, Graham Walters said the outcome was “probably the best I could expect”. “The judge realised that distractions and driving are significant and are relevant in today’s driving society,” he said.