Rafiu Azeez outside the court house after a judge sentences the drunk driver who killed his son, April 21, 2016. (Photo by Maureen Revait) Rafiu Azeez outside the court house after a judge sentences the drunk driver who killed his son, April 21, 2016. (Photo by Maureen Revait)
Windsor

Victim's Family Upset With Drunk Driver's Sentence

A woman who killed one man and injured another after hitting them with her car was sentenced to seven years in prison today.

In August of 2014, Deanna Anne Gamblin got behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated and deliberately drove at two men, killing Rafiu Kadean Rashad Azeez.

Justice Rogan sentenced Gamblin to seven years for manslaughter and five years for impaired driving causing bodily harm to be served concurrently minus time served.

Azeez's family was visibly upset by the sentencing.

"My boy is gone. I'm not going to see him anymore. I was thinking that he was going to give her at least ten to 12 years but nothing can bring my boy back with me," said Rafiu Azeez, the victim's father.

Rogan told the court he took into account the gravity of the offence and impact to the victim's family as well as Gamblin's dark history. Gamblin is of Aboriginal decent and has dealt with systemic alcoholism and was a victim of sexual and physical abuse.

Gamblin's lawyer John Getliffe believes it's a fair sentence.

"[Gamblin has] always been upset and remorseful during the whole matter and she is glad to have this done so she can move on to the next phase of her life which is taking the additional punishment," says Getliffe.

The judge also prohibited Gamblin from driving a car for five years after her prison sentence.

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