A young woman has avoided going back to jail after she helped two men evade police after they were involved in a high-speed car chase that killed Warrawong father Daniel Merrett.
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Holly Green, 28, was not responsible for Mr Merrett's death but was sentenced for two counts of hindering the apprehension of Darren Butler and Andrew Russell for manslaughter after she helped them hide the car used in the pursuit as PolAir looked for them.
Agreed facts said a black Ford Territory with four people inside crashed into a petrol tanker on the Princes Highway at Albion Park Rail in the early hours of May 18, 2019.
Immediately before the collision, the Territory was being pursued by a Toyota Corolla, which reached speeds of 162km/h, driven by Butler with Russell and Green in the car.
The chase started at a Cringila petrol station where Butler and Russell demanded money from Johnson.
After the collision, Butler did not stop and he drove it to Green's friend's house.
A jury found Butler and Russell guilty of manslaughter during a District Court trial earlier this year, however Russell was acquitted of discharging a firearm during the pursuit.
Soon after the collision, Green contacted her best friend who lived in Lake Illawarra.
A short time later, the trio arrived at the friend's home and she allowed Butler to drive the Toyota into the backyard.
The friend gave Butler bleach, a spray bottle and a towel before he unpacked items from the car and he cleaned it while PolAir circled overhead trying to find them.
"The friend's house was used as a haven by Green for Butler and Russell to hide the car and avoid detection by police while they were able to empty and clean the vehicle," Judge Andrew Haesler said.
Green, who was living in Unaderra, stayed overnight and the next morning her friend told her someone had died in a car crash.
She replied, "oh everyone didn't, everyone, like it was pretty bad".
Butler, Russell and Green were initially wanted by police, which was publicly announced in the media, for the unlawful death of Mr Merrett.
Around May 21, Green travelled with Butler by car to Victoria where they stayed for two nights.
It is not known how Butler and Green returned to Wollongong but Butler was arrested on May 30.
"There was no evidence of active involvement while they were in Victoria," Judge Haesler said. "Obviously the moral thing to do would be to immediately own up to the offences."
Green handed herself into police on June 2 following negotiations and she spent five months in custody.
In Wollongong District Court on Friday, he noted Green had a criminal record that was consistent with her illicit drug problem.
Judge Haesler noted there was no evidence to suggest Green was under duress at any point.
Green was a victim of domestic violence, sexually assaulted and used illicit drugs, and was unsuccessful when she tried rehabilitation programs.
"Her presence in the car with Butler and Russell reflects this background," Judge Haesler said.
"Her friends were drug users, she was aware, as was everyone involved in the incident that night, that Butler and Russell had a reputation for violence but she still hung out with them."
Judge Haesler also noted that Green suffered from post traumatic stress disorder as a result of witnessing the collision and her background, and suffered from depression, which she started to see a psychologist for in June 2020.
"She will need to learn how to live and maintain a healthy lifestyle," he said.
Judge Haesler did not send her to jail as she was in treatment, which he noted was "positive", and had already served five months.
Judge Haesler did not send her to jail as she was in treatment, which he noted was "positive", and had already served five months.
Green was sentenced to an intensive corrections order for one year and four months for both counts.
She must be monitored by a psychologist and engage in drug relapse prevention programs as directed by community corrections.
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