The grieving parents of Jack Davey, 11, attended the Melbourne Magistrates court on Wednesday morning as the driver was sentenced.

Shaymaa Oun Ghazi Zuhaira, aged 41, faced conviction on the charge of careless driving, which carries a maximum fine of $2400.

Her driving privileges were rescinded, and she has been barred from driving for two years. Zuhaira had previously admitted guilt regarding the careless driving incident that occurred on October 29, 2024, at Auburn South Primary School.

The Davey family gave statements to the court about how her lesser charge had compounded their grief.

While she was exiting a parallel parking spot near the school, Zuhaira claims to have “lost control” of her vehicle, which then crossed the median strip and crashed into the school fence.

She drove over a picnic table where Jack was enjoying an afternoon break with four school friends, killing him and seriously injuring three others.

Zuhaira has not been able to explain why the incident happened but mentioned being distressed following a meeting with the school principal prior to the accident.

Magistrate Vincenzo Caltabiano rejected that this could have impaired her driving as he handed down his sentence.

“This is a tragic situation, a sorrowful case, and unfortunately, there is little I can do today to mitigate the consequences of what occurred,” the magistrate expressed to the court.

He said the only explanation was Zuhaira had pressed down on the accelerator instead of the brake.

Mr Caltabiano said the case highlighted the care required when handling motor vehicles but noted his sentence was “in no way comparable to Jack’s life”.

“It is not in any view considered as the court’s evaluation of that life,” he said.