Judge Delays Sentencing in Perth Hit-and-Run Case Over Concerns About Offender’s Mental Capacity
The sentencing of a 51-year-old woman involved in a hit-and-run that seriously injured a 12-year-old girl in Perth has been postponed after a judge questioned the validity of a psychologist’s assessment claiming the offender has intellectual disabilities.
Tahira Shaheen was scheduled to be sentenced for hitting Alexis Lloyd with her car as the girl walked to school in Willetton on June 27, 2023. The impact left Alexis with a broken leg and collarbone, and her mother says the child continues to suffer from psychological trauma and a fear of busy roads.
During court proceedings, District Court Judge Laura Christian expressed serious doubts about the psychological report, which claimed Shaheen had the verbal skills of a 10-year-old and the non-verbal reasoning ability of a six-year-old. The judge said those findings didn’t align with the fact that Shaheen had studied for two years at a college in Pakistan and previously held a driver’s licence there.
“It just doesn’t add up,” Judge Christian remarked. “I’m having difficulty accepting what’s in this report. In fairness to Ms Shaheen, I need further information.”
The judge ordered an additional neuropsychological evaluation to provide a clearer understanding of Shaheen’s mental capacity, particularly given that English is not her first language.
Shaheen has pleaded guilty to failing to stop and provide assistance after causing grievous bodily harm, failing to report the incident to police, and driving without a licence. Prosecutors are pushing for an immediate prison sentence and argued that further psychological testing was unnecessary. However, Judge Christian disagreed, stating that a confirmed intellectual disability would significantly impact sentencing, particularly regarding general deterrence.
Outside the courtroom, Shaheen said she had expressed remorse to Alexis’s family, emphasizing that the incident was accidental. “I’m not an angel, I’m a woman. I didn’t do it intentionally—it was an accident,” she said.
But Alexis’s mother, Tory Carter, disputed that any apology had been made and called for accountability. “We want justice. A precedent needs to be set—people need to understand they can’t hit a child and leave without facing consequences.”
Ms. Carter said Alexis is still dealing with physical pain, emotional trauma, and PTSD. “She still holds us back at busy roads. She’s very anxious, still in pain, and has visible scars—but overall, she’s coping.”
The court has now scheduled the sentencing for October, pending the results of the new psychological assessment.
