Anne Bourke death: NSW State Parole Authority denies Katie Holmes parole until rehab confirmed

A woman, jailed for killing a female pedestrian while speeding and with drugs in her system before being found behind the wheel of another car despite being disqualified, has been refused parole until she gets into rehab.

Katie Holmes leaves Newcastle Court House during an appearance in 2021. Picture: Emily Burley.

Killer driver Katie Holmes will remain behind bars for at least another three weeks after the state’s parole board refused her release until she is in a rehab centre or program.

Holmes, 31, returned to custody in September – 22 days after she was charged with disqualified driving while on parole for killing innocent pedestrian Anne Bourke while speeding and with methamphetamine in her system in 2020.

The Upper Hunter woman had been pulled over by police on the New England Highway at Whittingham on August 31 after driving from Scone.

Holmes, who was only released from prison in April, was granted bail by the courts but her freedom was taken after her parole was revoked on September 22.

She later pleaded guilty to disqualified driving and was sentenced to a 12-month community corrections order when she faced magistrate Kevin Hockey in Singleton Local Court last month.

Katie Holmes hit and killed Anne Bourke at Heddon Greta on February 15, 2020. Picture: Facebook.

But despite not being sentenced to a jail time, Holmes remained behind bars before her fresh bid for freedom failed on Tuesday.

In denying the parole, the NSW State Parole Authority determined there was a necessity for Holmes to undergo ongoing drug rehabilitation to “address her risk of reoffending”.

Holmes was arrested driving a car on the New England Highway at Whittingham while still disqualified. Picture: Google Maps.

It determined Holmes should remain in custody until there was confirmation of her acceptance into a drug rehabilitation program of facility.

“The Authority requested community corrections to provide a supplementary report specifically addressing drug rehabilitation, including the options for residential rehabilitation,” the authority said in a statement.

“The Authority noted Holmes received a sentence of a 12-month Community Corrections Order for the offence of driving while disqualified, for which her parole was revoked.

“However, the Authority found it necessary to have further advice addressing Holmes’ drug rehabilitation before making any further decision on parole.”

Anne Bourke Picture: Supplied.

The matter was stood over to November 26.

Holmes was jailed after a jury found her guilty of dangerous driving occasioning the death of Ms Bourke on February 15, 2020.

Ms Bourke was attempting to cross Main Rd at Heddon Greta about 10.50pm when Holmes’ Mazda struck and killed her.

Experts told her trial that Holmes was estimated to be travelling up to 94km/h in a 60lm/h zone and tests later revealed she had methamphetamine and amphetamine in her system.

She faced a trial and was found guilty in July 2022 before being sentenced to a maximum of three years and three months in jail with a non-parole period of 21 months.

Holmes was released on parole on April 28 before her arrest in August.

Her full sentence on the dangerous driving occasioning death charge was due to expire on October 25 next year, although that has now been extended to November 16 next year following the revocation.