Advertisement

Driver six times the limit pleads guilty after pinning young girl during crash

A Sydney woman was on her phone and six times the legal limit when she smashed into another car last October and injured a five-year-old girl.

Barbara Farlow, 50, was using her mobile phone as she tried to reverse park on a busy shopping strip, the Burwood Local Court heard on Monday.

Barbara Farlow was unfit to drive when she smashed into another car. Picture: 7 News
Barbara Farlow was unfit to drive when she smashed into another car. Picture: 7 News
Farlow leaves Burwood Local Court on Monday. Source: 7 News
Farlow leaves Burwood Local Court on Monday. Source: 7 News

Farlow accelerated harshly and pinned a five-year-old between the two cars ahead, as the girl was waiting to cross the road between parked cars with her dad.

She suffered a hip injury in the crash.

A police fact sheet said Farlow walked away from the scene because "she felt intimidated by all the bystanders that were filming her on their mobile phones."

A five-year-old girl was pinned between two cars while waiting to cross the road between parked cars with her dad. Picture: 7 News
A five-year-old girl was pinned between two cars while waiting to cross the road between parked cars with her dad. Picture: 7 News


Police said "it is only by luck that no serious injuries were suffered to any other person."

It wasn't Farlow's first time drunk behind the wheel.

Witnesses say Farlow was carrying a four-pack of alcohol as she left. Picture: 7News
Witnesses say Farlow was carrying a four-pack of alcohol as she left. Picture: 7News
Farlow seen leaving the scene. Picture: 7News
Farlow seen leaving the scene. Picture: 7News

In 2007 she was charged with mid-range drinking driving and handed a 15-month good behaviour bond.

Five years later, in 2012, she was caught again, in the high range, and disqualified for 18 months.

She has pleaded guilty to the latest charges.

She has pleaded guilty to the charges and faces 12 months in jail. Picture: 7 News
She has pleaded guilty to the charges and faces 12 months in jail. Picture: 7 News

Farlow is expected to front the same court next week for sentencing submissions.

She faces up to 12 months behind bars but her solicitor has indicated she has a mental health condition which could result in no jail time and no conviction.