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Lucy Woolfman crash: Jennifer Croker appeals negligent driving sentence

A makeup artist who suffered horrific life-changing injuries after being knocked off her motorbike has spoken of her fury as the driver at fault appealed her sentence.

Jennifer Croker (right) has appealed her sentence over a negligent driving charge which resulted in horror injuries for award-winning make up artist Lucy Woolfman (left).
Jennifer Croker (right) has appealed her sentence over a negligent driving charge which resulted in horror injuries for award-winning make up artist Lucy Woolfman (left).

A lawyer who left an award-winning TV makeup artist with horror injuries after knocking her off her motorbike in a sickening crash will be free to drive in 12 months time after appealing her sentence on Tuesday.

Gordon woman Jennifer Croker was behind the wheel of a Toyota Yaris when she took an unfamiliar route to visit her sick mother about 7.30pm on September 9 last year, leading to a moment which transformed the lives of many.

An emotional Lucy Woolfman (purple hair) outside court.
An emotional Lucy Woolfman (purple hair) outside court.
Jennifer Croker (on phone). Picture: Daniel McGookin
Jennifer Croker (on phone). Picture: Daniel McGookin

At the intersection of Margaret St and Clarence St in Sydney’s CBD, when a red turning arrow went blank the 36-year-old lawyer failed to give way and slowly turned into the path of award-winning make up artist Lucy Woolfman, travelling on a motorbike.

A court heard in a terrifying collision Ms Woolfman was catapulted six metres in the air and lay on the road struggling to breathe waiting for the ambulance to arrive. She suffered a brain bleed, punctured lung, shattered knee cap, broken ribs, broken foot and fractured spine.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, an emotional Ms Woolfman told the court of the devastating impact her injuries have had on her happiness, marriage, employment and relationships with friends and family, detailing how her life has turned upside down.

Award-winning make up artist Lucy Woolfman.
Award-winning make up artist Lucy Woolfman.

Ms Woolfman, using a wheelchair and surrounded by more than 15 friends and family members, watched on as Croker appealed the severity of her Local Court sentence being a conviction for negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, a two-year community corrections order and a disqualification from driving for the same period.

The court heard the appeal to reduce the sentence to a conditional release order without conviction was motivated by her need to care and support for her elderly sick mother.

Ms Woolfman in happier times.
Ms Woolfman in happier times.

The appeal Judge said, in delivering judgment, the punishment must recognise the harm done to Ms Woolfman who had told the court she couldn’t attend her own mum’s funeral as a result of the injuries.

“If the appellant was keeping a proper lookout she should have seen (the victim) coming towards her,” he said. “The offender must be accountable for her actions of this night.”

The original sentence of a two-year community correction order, $1500 fine and conviction was confirmed however, Croker’s disqualification period was reduced to 12 months.

Outside of court, Ms Woolfman lashed out at the sentence saying she was “absolutely disgusted”.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/north-shore/lucy-woolfman-crash-jennifer-croker-appeals-negligent-driving-sentence/news-story/44b4916f5cfa75f28a3cb5594aaa8b24