Now they have been dealt a further blow, with the Office of Public Prosecutions informing them they do not intend to appeal.

They have questions about how Ms Little's death has come to this and have spoken out about how they feel let down by Victoria's justice system.

Evans pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and failing to render assistance after he struck Ms Little, 41, with his Toyota Hilux at their Kyneton home on December 28, 2017.

He was sentenced to a non-parole period of two-and-a-half years, which, given the 621 days he had already served, meant he could be released mid next year.

He was also banned from driving for five years.

Ms Little and Evans started their relationship in 2013 and at the time of Ms Little's death, were living together in Kyneton.

But over the course of their relationship there were allegations of family violence on both sides, and shortly after Christmas 2017 Ms Little decided to leave.

Shortly before the fatal incident on December 28, 2017, Ms Little called triple-0 and asked police to remove Evans because he was abusive and drunk.

But by the time officers arrived 16 minutes later, Ms Little had been fatally injured. She died soon afterwards.

Ms Little was struck by the front driver side of Evans' vehicle as he drove between a water tank and fence at between 12 and 16 km/h.

Evans did not assist Ms Little, but instead fled.

Soon afterwards he told a neighbour he had left after Ms Little bit him on the nose and called police.

Ms Little's phone was later found in his vehicle and when interviewed by police, Evans could not say how it came to be there.

He also said Ms Little was alive when he left the property. That night, his blood alcohol concentration was 0.087.

Ms Little's close friend Mel Sell said she held no animosity towards the judge, acknowledging she had to work within the bounds of the laws. But the sentence still infuriated her.

"It's very angering to know he received a higher driving disqualification... than he did a jail sentence for killing her," Mrs Sell said.

"It's hurtful, it's offensive, it's a bitter pill to swallow."

Ms Little's brother, Bronson Little, said the sentence was "absolutely ridiculous", stating that Evans "left her there to die". "Where's the justice?" he said.

Her aunt, Kelly Quay, voiced similar feelings.

"Her life was worth more than four years... We're disappointed and heartbroken," Ms Quay said,

Ms Little's loved ones were also angered by the downgrading of his charges.

Evans was charged with murder shortly after Ms Little's death and in December 2018 he was committed to stand trial on that charge.

Both Mrs Sell and Mr Little said that was then downgraded to culpable driving, and it was at the plea hearing that they found out the charges had again changed.

"Unfortunately my family's in the hands of the public prosecutor... So we don't have a say in anything," Mr Little said.

Those feelings have intensified in the wake of the news the OPP does not intend to appeal the sentence.

"To have the appeal knocked back is mindblowing," Mr Little said.

He and Mrs Sell said they felt the justice system did not work in favour of the victims.

"We're treated like it's not about us," Mr Little said.

But Ms Little's loved ones are set to meet the OPP next week and Mr Little - armed with three pages of questions - hopes not only for answers, but to push for an appeal. The OPP did not comment.

In determining the dangerousness of Evans' driving and his level of moral culpability, Supreme Court Justice Lesley Taylor took into account several factors: his actions caused Ms Little's death; both were in an agitated and emotional state at the time; Evans' consumption of alcohol prior to the incident (although she made no finding as to his intoxication); the moderate speed at which he drove, which she said made the collision more inexplicable; the large and heavy vehicle; and that the incident happened quickly, with Evans braking after hitting Ms Little.

But she noted he had lied about last seeing Ms Little alive and well.

"Your failure to render assistance in circumstances where you ought reasonably to have known that your partner was seriously injured or dead was cowardly in the extreme," Justice Taylor said. She took into account his guilty plea, which she said spared a trial and indicated remorse.

Evans had good prospects for rehabilitation, Justice Taylor said, with no relevant prior convictions and strong support.

She said the sentence denounced his behaviour, but Evans' remorse and rehabilitation prospects meant protection of the community carried less weight in sentencing.

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Ms Little's family and friends, while left devastated, hope to make positive changes.

Her aunts Ms Quay and Cindy Miller and friend Leissa Dawson have started petitions on change.org that have collectively gained almost 17,000 signatures.

Ms Little's loved ones feel her death ultimately arose from family violence.

They want a national registration system so tabs can be kept on family violence perpetrators, no matter where they are in the country.

"If we can protect one woman or one child from what we've been through, we'll feel we've done something," Ms Quay said.

If you or someone you know is affected by family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au. In central Victoria, the Centre for Non-Violence can be reached on 5430 3000 or online at www.cnv.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.