Joshua Laurence Warwick pleads guilty in Toowoomba Supreme Court to running down two people with his car in Tara

Two good Samaritan siblings were left permanently scarred when a friend’s abusive partner mowed them down, ramming into the country home where two young girls lay sleeping.

Joshua Laurence Warwick pleaded guilty to two counts of malicious acts with intent after purposefully running down two people with his car. Picture: Queensland Police

A Tara man has confessed to maiming two siblings in an unprovoked attack at their rural home while two young girls slept nearby.

On Tuesday Joshua Laurence Warwick, 34, pleaded guilty before Toowoomba Supreme Court to two counts of malicious acts with intent to cause grievous bodily harm after running down a 35-year-old woman and attempting to run down her 37-year-old brother with his car.

Warwick was previously charged with two counts of attempted murder for his actions; however, had his charges downgraded after negotiation with the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The court was told Warwick’s then-partner went to the siblings for help after experiencing domestic violence at his hand.

On February 6, 2023, Warwick arrived at the sibling’s rural property in Weranga unannounced, revving his engine and flashing his lights.

Both women approached Warwick outside the property where he demanded to speak to his partner alone but the 37-year-old woman refused to leave her friend.

Warwick called the woman a “stupid f---ing c--t” and told her he would “run her over and kill her” if she did not leave.

He then revved his engine and drove directly at the woman, hitting her and causing her to fly into the air before landing on nearby dirt.

The 35-year-old man, now alert to the attack, opened the front curtains from inside the home where he made eye contact with Warwick who then accelerated directly at him.

The court was told Warwick drove through the front glass doors and living room before crashing into the back wall of the property.

The man was able to leap out of Warwick’s path and only received minor injuries.

The court was told two young girls were asleep at the property at the time of the attack.

Picture: Dan Peled / NewsWire

Both siblings described an emotional toll following the attack while the 37-year-old woman described ongoing physical injuries including whole body spasms, walking difficulties, frequent migraines and chronic back and joint pain.

Warwick evaded police for multiple days before his arrest, fleeing a separate Tara property upon police arrival.

The Crown prosecutor told the court Warwick had a history of domestic violence offending and an extensive history of dangerous driving, previously serving a three month sentence for driving against court orders.

Defence barrister Frank Martin said Warwick never meant to kill either sibling.

“He lost his temper with (the sister) when she wouldn’t leave, he made threats to her,” Mr Martin said.

“(Warwick’s partner) said she was all right but (the sister) insisted she be there.

“He accepts he drove in her direction, not intending to kill her, but seriously hurt her.”

Mr Martin told the court Warwick believed the brother had a gun, but accepted this was not the reality.

“He believed he had a gun at the time but now accepts he was mistaken, he had a belief based on seeing a gun there previously,” Mr Martin said.

He added Warwick had endeavoured to resolve his drug issues in prison and made steps towards rehabilitation.

“He seems to be a good worker, that is something that is positive – that he has a job waiting for him,” he said.

“He has pleaded guilty, he has tried to rehabilitate himself while in the prison, he intends to rehabilitate himself and continue with drug courses, he has employment.

Justice Catherine Muir said Warwick’s actions showed a “complete disregard for the lives of others”.

“Your conduct has had a significant and ongoing consequence for the both complainants … it has changed the extent and courses of their lives,” she said

Warwick was sentenced to eight years imprisonment after serving 801 days of presentence custody.

He will be eligible for parole on August 18, 2025.

He was disqualified from driving or holding a licence absolutely.

Originally published as Joshua Laurence Warwick pleads guilty in Toowoomba Supreme Court to running down two people with his car in Tara