\’Road Rage Is Not Worth It\’: Family of Rhyce Harding React to Killer\’s 16-Year Jail Sentence

The family of slain landscaper Rhyce Harding found a measure of justice today as his killer, Bradley Wayne Wilkinson, was sentenced to 16 years in prison for manslaughter, with a non-parole period of 12 years.

The victim\’s parents, John and Mary Harding, attended the NSW District Court wearing T-shirts emblazoned with their son\’s wolf-and-roses chest tattoo, representing the lasting grief caused by the incident in June 2024.

The court heard harrowing details of Harding\’s final moments, including how he was seen vomiting and gasping for air with a tyre imprint on his jumper before he died at the scene in Blackett.

Outside court, Harding’s parents praised Acting Judge Paul Conlon\’s severe sentence and spoke emotionally about their loss.

Father John Harding said his 27-year-old son was \”the glue that held the family together\” and supported the verdict:

\”It gives a message to anybody who does road rage and takes another life to think twice,\” he said. \”Road rage is not worth it.\”

Mother Mary Harding expressed relief that the justice system had delivered a strong punishment.

\”Finally, they\’re giving a sentence which is deserving,\” she told reporters. \”If I could have given him 50 years, I would have.\”

Wilkinson, who killed Harding after the younger man approached his window during a dispute over merging traffic, watched the sentencing silently via audio-visual link from Bathurst prison. Judge Conlon confirmed that Wilkinson knew he had run over Harding but deliberately chose to speed away, demonstrating the \”extreme\” dangerousness of his unlawful act.

Would you be interested in learning about road rage statistics or the legal differences between manslaughter and murder in New South Wales?