Justin Richard Barnes: Cop convicted of dangerous driving at Gregory Hills

A police officer and Sydney gym owner narrowly missed hitting two pedestrians, then smashed into a parked car at a pub and caused a pileup. He then fled the scene.

Oran Park resident and NSW Police officer Justin Richard Barnes has been convicted of dangerous driving in Gregory Hills.

A police officer who nearly wiped out two pedestrians and caused a parked car pile-up at a Gregory Hills pub has been admonished about the “catastrophic” potential of his dangerous driving.

Justin Richard Barnes, 30, fronted Picton Local Court to be sentenced after he pleaded guilty to driving recklessly or furiously in a speed or manner dangerous.

Two offences of not giving particulars to other drivers and the responsible person or custodian not disclosing driver‘s details were taken into account.

According to court documents the Oran Park man is a NSW Police Force officer who is on leave under workers‘ compensation and recently opened a new gym, Air Locker Gledswood Hills.

The court heard that on December 5, 2021, Barnes had taken legally prescribed Valium and was “affected by it to a degree” as he drove his blue Holden Cruze towards Gregory Hills Hotel.

Justin Barnes exits court on May 25.

He broke harshly and almost collided with a car stopped at a red light before he drove around it into Central Hills Dr.

Barnes then overcorrected, swerved toward the opposite lane, swerved back into his lane and drove from side to side.

He then drove into the carpark of Gregory Hills Hotel and crashed into the front gutter of the car spot with force as he attempted to park.

After a brief stint at the pub, Barnes drove around the carpark at speed, forcing two pedestrians to suddenly stop to avoid being hit.

Barnes then crashed into a parked ute which caused a pileup with two more cars, before he reversed and accelerated forward and back to dislodge himself and left without giving his details.

Justin Barnes.

That night when police attended his Oran Park home and spotted his damaged vehicle, Barnes refused to give any details to police.

On Thursday, Magistrate David Degnan rejected an application to deal with the matters under the mental health act and convicted Barnes.

He said the dangerous driving could have had “catastrophic results”, but he took into account Barnes’ diagnosis of PTSD and alcohol abuse disorder.

“There’s no doubt Mr Barnes has encountered a number of traumatic events related to his career and his personal life,” Mr Degnan said.

“He has no criminal history. And I don’t think he’s likely to be a further danger to himself or any member of the public in future.”

He sentenced Barnes to a 12-month community correction order and disqualified him from driving for 12 months.

Barnes was also charged with affray and common assault after an incident outside Ruse Tavern on July 2, 2022, but those charges were dismissed under the mental health act.

He will be required to follow a treatment plan by his treating doctor.