A Paget man who last month admitted losing control of his vehicle and crashing into a car carrying a family of five — causing grievous bodily harm to three of them — has been fined $9,000.

David Correia, 60, of Bostock Hill West, was also given a six month suspended sentence and disqualified from driving for two years.

Last month Correia pleaded guilty to three counts of causing grievous bodily harm by careless driving to Duawne Starling, Carmen Starling and Shiloh Starling on August 3 last year, near the junction of Sea Swept Farm and Middle Road in Southampton.

The family was travelling west along Middle Road when Correia, travelling east, swerved his car into the westbound lane and collided with their car, shortly after 11am.

While none of the five family members received life-threatening injuries, prosecutor Cindy Clarke told the court that “fractures, contusions, abrasions and lacerations” were suffered by all.

“I will take into consideration his [Correia’s] early guilty plea and, notwithstanding what was said about the nature of remorse, I will accept that in the circumstances the defendant has shown considerable remorse,” said Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner before handing down the sentence.

“He has apologised to the victims, though late. Though this incident involved serious injury, one of the matters that must be considered are the personal circumstances of the defendant. He has no previous convictions. [Correia’s defence attorney, Peter] Farge has submitted this is a one-off occasion and is unlikely to reoccur. This is not on the higher end of careless driving. The defendant is self employed and of good character and to imprison him, as the sentences contemplate, would be disproportionate, which is my word.

“I am of the view that in all the circumstances these offences would normally merit a term of imprisonment. However, I am satisfied that the matters I have mentioned amount to special circumstances [and provide] good reason why I should not impose an immediate custodial sentence.”