Former World Champion and Olympian Rohan Dennis has delivered a broadside on social media over what he believes is a ‚false narrative‘ created by journalists following his spouse Melissa Hoskins‘ loss of life in 2023.
Hoskins died after being struck by a automobile pushed by Dennis on December 30, 2023. He was deemed not criminally liable for her loss of life, however pleaded responsible in Could 2025 to an aggravated cost of making a probability of hurt and was given a 17-month suspended sentence together with a five-year driving ban. Dennis had accepted the provide to enter right into a two-year good behaviour bond within the sum of $100 as a part of the suspended sentence.
„Not everybody goes to care about what was stated to me by journalists or anybody for the reason that accident with my spouse,“ Dennis wrote in an prolonged collection of Instagram posts earlier this week.
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„However I do not care. That is merely to level out the false narrative which the media created about me for clicks.“
Dennis went on to insist that he had by no means needed to hurt his spouse at any level, however he claimed that the media had whipped up a unique perspective to make sure that a unique picture of him dominated within the information.
„Sure it was an accident,“ his put up continued.
„I cherished Melissa and the very last thing I ever needed was to harm her. By no means in my life has any bodily aggression crossed my thoughts in any disagreement with Melissa.“
„The narrative which the media ran with was clear they needed me to appear to be the husband who abused his spouse.“
„I’ve ALWAYS been towards any type of abuse towards ladies and particularly the one who gave beginning to my youngsters.“
For the reason that loss of life of his spouse, Dennis initially remained largely out of the highlight. Final month, one in all his first social media posts for the reason that tragic incident, of a Porsche with a caption of ‚What an absolute weapon‘, was condemned as „deeply offensive“ by South Australia’s Victims‘ Rights Commissioner. A subsequent put up by Dennis, of his two youngsters, had the caption „Two absolute weapons.“
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In his assertion, Dennis addressed the controversy that stemmed from these posts, claiming there had been a ‘clear twisting’ of his phrases.
“They know I by no means deliberately or unintentionally used a automobile as a weapon. By no means was it legally stated that I did both. The video footage of the accident additionally proves this assertion. But once more they arrive after me for reasonable clicks. Pathetic journalism.“
In the course of the sentencing in Could 2025, Adelaide District Courtroom choose Ian Press emphasised the significance of acknowledging that Dennis was not going through expenses of prison duty „for all the occasions of that night time, and particularly, you aren’t charged with inflicting the loss of life of your spouse.“
In line with courtroom data, Hoskins and Dennis argued about dwelling renovations earlier than the accident, and when he tried to depart in his automobile, Hoskins jumped onto the hood to attempt to cease him, whereas he continued to drive for about six to 10 seconds at or about 20km/h for about 75 metres.
After that, Hoskins received off the bonnet and was strolling subsequent to the automobile and opened the automobile door whereas it was shifting, and, after shutting the door with out stopping, Dennis then accelerated in what the sentencing remarks stated gave the impression to be an try and drive away.
Dennis, who received the World Championships within the time trial in 2018 and 2019, had his 17-month sentence suspended as a consequence of his responsible plea, his regret, and his standing as the only carer for his two youngsters, in keeping with Choose Press.
Hoskins was additionally a profitable skilled bike owner, a multi-time Olympian and group pursuit world champion. She was 32 years previous.
In his newest assertion, Dennis went on to complain about the way in which he has been handled by the media, itemizing out a collection of interactions with reporters.
“The media communicate in regards to the youngsters and the way saddened they’re for the kids. But they fortunately stalk, observe and harass not simply adults in my household however even when the children are concerned.
“Following us in automobiles to have the ability to publish our actions to the general public. Placing my children in demanding conditions. But they care in regards to the children.”
Dennis concluded his assertion, saying: “Time for all you so-called journalists and media shops to again off and depart my household alone.”
