Ebony Kay Castle eligible for parole within days after running down pensioner with his own car

She stole a pensioner’s car, twice ran him down with it and claimed she did it because he wanted sex – now this woman could be out of jail on Monday.

Ebony Kay Castle has been jailed for running over a pensioner after stealing his car. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

A woman who stole a pensioner’s car, reversed into and drove over him with it, and then blamed him for her crime – falsely claiming he wanted sex – will be out of jail in just four days’ time.

On Thursday, Ebony Kay Castle wept as the District Court granted her extensive “credit” for almost three years spent waiting, in custody and on home detention bail, for sentencing.

Chief Judge Michael Evans noted some of that delay was of Castle’s own making, given her baseless claims about her victim, 74, and push for a home detention sentence.

However, he said her lack of prior offending, genuine remorse and “fractured” life – including time in enforced sexual servitude to pay off drug debts – warranted a measure of mercy.

“You do not have an extensive criminal record and had never been in custody before (this),” he said.

Ebony Kay Castle outside the District Court during an earlier appearance. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

“You’ve spent almost 15 months in custody and been on home detention bail for just over 16 months.

“I accept that you genuinely regret your offending and are genuinely remorseful.”

Castle, 28, pleaded guilty to aggravated counts of theft and recklessly causing serious harm, as well as illegal use of a motor vehicle.

The charges arise from an incident at Days Rd on September 28, 2020, when Castle stole her victim’s 2011 Holden Epica after pushing him over in the carpark of a pub.

Following her arrest, Castle told a psychologist she “formed the belief he wanted to have sexual relations” with her – and asked the court to show leniency in sentencing.

In sentencing on Thursday, Chief Judge Evans said Castle had opened the back door of the victim’s car without warning, threw in her bags and said “drive”.

When the victim got out and tried to remove her, she got into the front seat, reversed over him and then drove back over him to get away.

“Your offending has had a huge impact on him … he has suffered very severe injuries to his ribs, back, right leg and pelvis,” Chief Judge Evans said.

“That has affected his day to day life, left him with anxiety (and) impacted his ability to care for his wife.

“Random acts like yours cannot be tolerated.”

He sentenced Castle to three years and two months’ jail, with a non-parole period of 20 months.

With time served, Castle will be eligible to seek release on parole on Monday.

Chief Judge Evans also disqualified Castle from driving for 12 months.