On June 30, 2021, at approximately 10:00 pm on Goodwood Road in Adelaide, a vehicle driven by Lauren Jean Willgoose struck and killed Anthony Walsh, a clinical neuropsychologist.
Willgoose had consumed 1.15 litres of wine at the Goodwood Park Hotel before driving home, where she continued drinking. She was arrested the following morning and gave birth to her son in late April 2022.
Conviction and Original Sentence
Willgoose was found guilty after a trial by judge alone of aggravated causing death by dangerous driving and leaving the scene of an accident after careless driving.
On March 5, 2023, she was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment with a non-parole period of five years and eight months, and a 12-year driving ban.
Appeal
Willgoose appealed against both conviction and sentence. The Court of Appeal (President Mark Livesey, Justices Sophie David and Tim Stanley) dismissed the conviction appeal, finding the verdicts were reasonable and supported by the evidence.
However, the court reduced the sentence to six years with a non-parole period of four years, making her eligible for parole on March 5, 2029 — 20 months earlier than the original date.
The court found the original sentence was "outside the permissible range for this offence and offender."
Court's Reasoning
Mitigating factors included:
- Willgoose being the primary carer of a very young son, with evidence that separation would have a poor impact on him.
- No prior convictions.
- Good prospects of rehabilitation.
- Loss of her legal career as extra-curial punishment.
The court noted that while the crash was a serious example of defective lookout due to intoxication and lack of evasive action, there were no aggravating features such as speeding, dangerous maneuvers, or extended dangerous driving.