Mum whose three kids were killed by 4x4 on way to get ice cream 'does not hate' driver
"I'm not going to hate him, cause that's not who we are and it's not what our religion tells us. I forgive him," she says.
Monday 3 February 2020 12:51, UK
The mother of three children killed in a car crash in Australia by an alleged drunk driver has said she forgives him and does not hate him.
, and their cousin Veronique Sakr, were walking along a pavement in Sydney when they were hit by a 4x4 that mounted the kerb. They died at the scene.
Three other children in the group, who had all gone out to buy ice cream, were injured in the crash on Bettington Road in Oatlands, just before 8pm on Saturday.
Leila Geagea Abdallah said: "I don't hate him. I think in my heart I forgive him, but I want the court to be fair, right, it's all about fairness.
"So I'm not going to hate him, cause that's not who we are and it's not what our religion tells us. I forgive him, but I want it to be fair."
"I am sad. I am heartbroken, but I'm at peace cause I know my kids are in a better place," she said, standing by a makeshift memorial at the crash site.
"My kids are angels," she added. "They are right now with us, I can feel them. I've got goosebumps, I can feel them touching me and telling me that they are with us and are working for God."
The suspect, Samuel Davidson, appeared in a Sydney court on Sunday where he was was charged with 20 offences, including manslaughter and high-range drink driving. He was refused bail.
When police breath tested him after the accident, he was found to be three times over the legal drink-drive limit in Australia.
Surrounded by hundreds of flowers, rosary beads, teddy bears and other tributes left by well-wishers, the children's mother said she and her husband "were so blessed to have six kids".
"We love our kids so much," she said.
"It feels very unreal, I still don't feel it's true. I feel they are still with me. I'm still waiting for them to come home."
The children's father, Danny Abdallah, said at the weekend he was "numb" and begged drivers to take care.
He said: "I don't know what to say. I'm numb. All I want to say is: please, drivers, be careful.
"These kids were just walking innocently, enjoying each other's company... and this morning I woke up and I have lost three kids."
Among those injured was the 10-year-old brother of Antony, Angelina and Sienna. He is in a serious but stable condition in hospital.
Two girls, aged 10 and 13, suffered minor injuries.