A judge has criticised a man who killed a 12-year-old girl during a horrific crash, branding him a ‘drug-affected, negligent’ driver.

Mia Rossiter died after Jordan Kenyon, 31, crashed into her family’s car as they drove home from a dinner in Stonehaven, near Geelong, on January 3, 2024.

Mia was sitting in the back seat with her seven-year-old sister, while her father Paul Rossiter lay asleep in the front, and her mother Danica drove.

Kenyon had been on the ‘party drug’ GHB when he got behind the wheel and began driving erratically before crossing onto the wrong side of the road, losing control of his vehicle and colliding with the family’s car.

During a sentencing hearing on Wednesday, County Court Judge Michael Tinney issued a scorching warning to Kenyon.

He described the 31-year-old’s ‘totally avoidable’ actions as ‘manic’, adding the Rossiters were completely unaware of the events that would alter their lives forever. 

‘You are a drug-affected, negligent and incompetent driver,’ Judge Tinney said.

‘It was really just a matter of time until you killed someone on the road. It could have been anyone who was unfortunate enough to have crossed your path on that day.’

Judge Greg Tinney branded Jordan Kenyon as a ‘drug-affected, negligent and incompetent driver’ during sentencing on Wednesday

Mia Rossiter, pictured with her father, Paul, died after Kenyon crashed into her family’s car in Stonehaven, near Geelong, on January 3, 2024

Kenyon was sentenced to 16 years, which includes a non-parole period of 12 years

Judge Tinney also referenced shocking footage from weeks before the crash.

The footage showed Kenyon swerving onto the wrong side of the road and declaring he was the ‘best f***ing designated drunk driver in the world’. 

Kenyon can be heard saying ‘should we kill him’ before driving over double white lines towards an oncoming four-wheel drive. 

‘You were a maniac on the 14th of December (2023),’ Judge Tinney said.

‘Less than three weeks later, and a young girl is dead and her family changed forever. All because of you.’

Kenyon was driving without a licence and had previously spent six years behind bars after stealing a car and driving at speeds of up to 170km/h. 

Judge Tinney said Kenyon’s history showed he was a repeat offender who had repeatedly put others at risk before sentencing him to 16 years in jail.

‘It could not have been made clearer to you. You couldn’t care less, so now a family has been damaged forever by you,’ Judge Tinney said.

Judge Tinney said Kenyon’s history showed he was a repeat offender who had repeatedly put others at risk before sentencing him to 16 years in jail

Mia’s mother with family and friends outside the County Court in Melbourne on Wednesday 

The sentence comes more than 18 months after the fatal crash on the Hamilton Highway in January 2024. 

Primary school student Mia died at the scene, while her mother, father and younger sister suffered serious injuries in what Judge Tinney described as a game of ‘Russian roulette’ on the road. 

Friends and family of the Rossiters filled the courtroom on Wednesday, with sobs and tears heard throughout as the events of that night were recounted.

Kenyon at times kept his head down during the nearly four-hour sentencing hearing. 

In the aftermath of the crash, Judge Tinney said Kenyon lied to police and falsely claimed he was not the driver, blaming the crash on a non-existent person named ‘Brad’.

While there was no doubt Kenyon was sorry about Mia’s death, Judge Tinney questioned whether his remorse was genuine. 

‘There is some remorse, but I don’t think that is going to be a large factor in your conduct in future,’ Judge Tinney told Kenyon.

‘Behaving in the fashion in the video on the 14th of December is incredible. I have every reason to believe there will be a high risk of serious offending when you’re released from prison. I have no real reason to be optimistic.’ 

Paul Rossiter described his daughter Mia as having a heart of gold

Judge Tinney also revealed authorities believed Kenyon had repeatedly breached his parole conditions. 

‘You weren’t some silly teenager. You were 28,’ he said.

The court was told Kenyon’s mother remained supportive and that he had ‘no skills in the workforce’ and a long-term problematic use of drugs, according to news.com.au.

Kenyon was handed a 16-year sentence, which includes a non-parole period of 12 years.

He was disqualified from getting a licence until five years after his release from prison at the minimum.

As Kenyon was led from the dock, family members shouted ‘Watch your back’ before gathering together to consider their next steps. 

‘He will do it again,’ Mr Rossiter told reporters outside court.

‘The sentence baffles me… He f***ed up last time and broke his parole, he will go do it again.’

He described his daughter as having a heart of gold, who loved her animals and had an incredible future cut short.