An international skateboarding champion will serve at least two years in jail after being convicted over the death of a mate he was dinking on his motorbike in a high-speed crash.
Ali Boulala, a professional skater since 1997 whose name is emblazoned on a top-selling skateboard range and who has travelled the world winning tournaments, has been sentenced by Victoria's County Court to a maximum of four years' jail after he pleaded guilty to a single culpable driving count.
His close mate and fellow champion skater Shane Cross, 20, was killed when a motorbike on which the pair were riding ploughed into a wall at Fitzroy's Tramway Hotel, in Melbourne's inner north, in the early hours of March 7 last year.
The court yesterday heard Boulala, who was in control of the bike, had a blood alcohol content of .162.
The pair had been drinking at CBD nightspot the Cherry Bar before they went to a friend's house to continue drinking.
They started riding around the block on the bike at low speed, and were travelling at an estimated speed of 30 km/ph when they struck the wall.
Boulala suffered a severe brain injury in the accident and was forced to retire from professional skateboarding.
Judge Sue Pullen said Cross was earlier overheard telling Boulala he wanted to go for a ride, but Boulala wouldn't take him without a helmet. But the court heard he relented and took his friend on the bike.
"You threw caution to the wind," Judge Pullen told Boulala in sentencing.
Boulala, who was born in Sweden, will be eligible for parole in two years.