Dixon’s sentence was handed down in the County Court on Thursday over the crash that killed 17-year-old Bianca Thompson.

He was jailed for seven years, but will be eligible for parole in four years.

Dixon was 34 at the time of the crash in January, 2017.

In sentencing, Judge Liz Gaynor said the sentence imposed was not, in any way, to measure the loss of Ms Thompson’s short life.

“It’s my view that the sentence I impose should mark the seriousness of your offending and mark the tragic loss of Bianca Thompson,” Judge Gaynor said.

“The value of the loss of life cannot be measured. The sentence is not in any way to measure the loss of Ms Thompson.”

Judge Gaynor said Dixon failed in his duty of care to Ms Thompson and other road users. She said there was insufficient evidence he was purposely avoiding police before the fatal crash.

“It may have been you were arguing with Ms Thompson and you were distracted. It’s difficult to say,” Judge Gaynor said.

“In the end you have been convicted of the serious crime of culpable driving causing death. As a result of your driving Bianca Thompson’s life has been cut short.”

Dixon, who has a history of driving offences, was unlicenced and driving an unregistered and unroadworthy vehicle at the time of the crash.

Judge Gaynor said Dixon was not affected by drugs or alcohol and was not speeding but said his lack of attention was fatally gross.

However she said Dixon had a genuine remorse for his offending, which may be of little comfort to Ms Thompson’s family.

Outside court, Ms Thompson’s mother Kathy Thompson said Dixon’s sentencing had helped because it was closure.

But she believed the sentence was not sufficient.

“It was such a volatile situation for my daughter. She was 17 and he was 34. He should have been protecting her and keeping her safe but he was putting her at risk,” Kathy said.

“She was vulnerable and looking up to him for support. He didn’t give her safety as she required.

“I feel he should have got a longer sentence for what he did.”

Kathy said she would not want another family to go through what hers had.

She said her daughter was loving, joyful, smart, generous and had a strong spirit.

“I remember that day (when Bianca died). She was so light, happy, loving, so beautiful. That’s the memory I have of her,” Kathy said.

“We go on without her and live each day in memory of her and remember the beautiful, kind spirit she was.

“I send my love to Bianca, all our joy and all our wishes to her wherever she may be.”

Dixon previously admitted he was driving the car and pleaded guilty to the charge of dangerous driving causing death, but denied the more serious charge of culpable driving.

A jury found him guilty within five hours after an eight-day trial.

PREVIOUS STORY | MARCH 1, 2018: A Ballarat jury has found a 35-year-old man guilty of culpable driving which caused the death of his teenage girlfriend, Bianca Thompson, in Scarsdale last year.

Anthony Dixon was driving a Ford Telstar on January 6 when he collided head-on with another vehicle at the Old Glenelg and Glenelg highway intersection.

Ms Thompson, 17, died as a result of the crash.

A jury of four men and eight women found Dixon guilty of culpable driving causing death on Thursday after about five hours of deliberations.

He was found not guilty of one count of dangerous/negligent driving while being pursued by police and one count of reckless conduct endangering persons.

Dixon had pleaded not guilty to the three charges, but admitted an alternative charge of dangerous driving causing death.

During the eight day trial at the County Court in Ballarat Dixon quietly sat focused in the dock, while witnesses, the prosecution and his barrister revisited the tragic day in January.

At the start of the trial Dixon took his own notes while towards the end, he appeared emotional and in pain as he held his right shoulder. 

Witness Jacob Tabone had told the jury he became suspicious about Dixon’s car being in the Scarsadale area and he informed a Smythesdale police officer.

The police officer then tried to stop Dixon driving a number of times while he travelled around Scarsdale’s streets before the fatal collision at 5pm.

Leading Senior Constable Anne Bone told the court she saw a female with dark hair sitting in the passenger seat with her feet resting on the dashboard.

Dixon was accused of failing to give way at the the Old Glenelg Highway and Pittfield-Scarsdale Road intersection, almost colliding with another car carrying two occupants.

Police alleged he was not speeding until this intersection, and at one time, he looked like he was going to pull over.

It was estimated Dixon was travelling at 50 to 55km/h at the time his car hit the Toyota Hilux.

Dixon was remanded in custody until a plea hearing in Melbourne on April 5.