A man who used his vehicle as a weapon during a road rage incident in Sydney's west has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for the manslaughter of Rhyce Harding. Bradley Wayne Wilkinson, 40, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and failing to stop after the fatal confrontation at Blackett in June 2024.
The court heard that Wilkinson and Harding, 27, were involved in a traffic dispute at a roundabout. Wilkinson cut off Harding's vehicle, preventing him from merging, and forced him to stop. When Harding approached Wilkinson's driver's side window, Wilkinson grabbed his jumper, pulled him against the vehicle, and accelerated.
Harding was dragged approximately 55 metres before being struck by a rear wheel and fatally injured. Wilkinson continued to work and only surrendered after a public appeal for information. CCTV footage captured the incident.
Acting Judge Paul Conlon described the act as 'extreme' and said Wilkinson 'used his vehicle as a weapon'. He imposed an aggregate sentence of 16 years with a non-parole period of 12 years, meaning Wilkinson will be eligible for parole in 2036.
Outside court, Harding's parents expressed satisfaction with the sentence. His father, John Harding, called it a message to others. His mother, Mary Harding, said the legal system was 'waking up' and described her son as a kind and hardworking person who was 'the glue that held us together'.
