Craig Elliott jailed for Woolooware crash, launches appeal

An expectant father has been released on bail only hours after he was jailed for a serious crash that nearly killed his mate and girlfriend while he was high on a cocktail of drugs.

Craig Elliott drove while high on drugs and crashed his car, injuring his friend - who needed life saving surgery - and girlfriend in Woolooware this year. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

An electrician who crashed his car while high on a cocktail of drugs, almost killing his girlfriend and mate, could miss the birth of his baby after appealing a jail sentence.

Craig Elliott, 27, of Cronulla, was jailed for three years in Sutherland Local Court on Monday over the crash in Woolooware on April 29.

He was given a non-parole period of 20 months, but immediately appealed the sentence and applied for bail pending the outcome of the matter in the District Court.

Elliott pleaded guilty to dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm while under the influence and causing bodily harm by misconduct in charge of a motor vehicle.

He was also charged and pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing drugs.

Agreed facts said the former Yarrawarrah man, who was unemployed at the time, was driving on The Kingsway in Woolooware with his girlfriend and a friend about 11.45pm on April 29.

Elliott collided with the rear of a parked Toyota ute, and his car went underneath the tray, before the ute was pushed forward, hitting another car.

Elliott and his two passengers got out of the car, and emergency services were called.

His friend suffered serious injuries and was taken to St George Hospital to undergo immediate life-threatening surgery.

Elliott’s girlfriend suffered less serious injuries but had fractured ribs and lower vertebrae.

He was taken to Sutherland Hospital after he failed a drug test, and his licence was suspended.

Drugs were seized from Elliott and the car. He later admitted to consuming 3g of meth, 3mls of GBH and one Xanax in the hours before the crash.

Craig Elliott’s appeal will be heard in Downing Centre District Court on February 21, next year after he was sentenced in Sutherland Local Court.

On Monday, Magistrate Phillip Stewart took into account Elliott’s traffic record which included driving under the influence of drugs and driving while cancelled.

The court heard Elliott was remorseful for his actions, took responsibility and was supported by his parents and girlfriend, who forgave him and was due to give birth to their first baby in March next year.

Elliott’s lawyer said her client had made significant steps towards his rehabilitation including being abstinent from drugs since the crash, doing a drug recovery program and working full time as an electrician.

Mr Stewart took into account the seriousness of the victim’s injuries.

He noted Elliott had previously been given “remarkable leniency” in court for drug and driving matters and the crash was an “escalation” in offending, noting he was on conditional liberty at the time.

Mr Stewart said the offending was not uncharacteristic of Elliott at the time, given he had demonstrated a “disobedience” towards the law and determined he was likely to reoffend if he resumed taking drugs.

He said the offending was too serious and the only option was to sentence him to full-time custody, despite his age and it being the first time in custody.

Mr Stewart heard a bail application where he agreed to release Elliott, noting he had not breached his bail conditions previously and had strong ties to the community.

Elliott must live with his partner and parents at Cronulla, abide by a night-time curfew, be abstinent from drugs and alcohol, and an acceptable person must provide a $20,000 surety.

The appeal will be heard in Downing Centre District Court on February 21, next year.