Casey Hospital worker attacked, left traumatised in horrifying carpark carjacking

It was just another day for a Casey Hospital worker as she clocked off from her shift and headed to her disabled car spot to get home. But an ice addict lurking in the shadows would leave her scarred for life.

A Casey Hospital worker has been targeted in a horrifying carjacking. Picture: Dianna Snape

A Casey Hospital employee whose arthritis is so severe she needs a walker has been left traumatised after she was targeted in a terrifying carpark carjacking, a court has heard.

The 55-year-old was making her way to her disabled carpark outside the emergency exit on October 23 when 45-year-old ice junkie Darren Moyle struck.

The County Court heard Moyle had been receiving treatment in the Berwick hospital after presenting with mental health issues earlier in the morning, just hours after he broke into the Casey City Church on Princes Hwy.

Moyle had finished his treatment about 2.30pm but loitered in the carpark until his vulnerable victim clocked off and walked to her car about 5.30pm.

Moyle had only been out of prison for one month when he pounced.

“She put her belongings in her car and sat in the driver’s seat … you went to the passenger door and asked for a lift” Judge Frank Gucciardo said.

Moyle pulled a knife on the petrified woman and sat on her passenger seat when she told him to go away.

“Shut up or I’ll stab you,” he said.

Moyle’s victim screamed for help before he shoved her out of the car, her shoulder shattering on impact with the ground, before passers-by rushed to help.

“As she lay on the pavement you moved into the driver’s seat, started the car and yelled f*** off to those helping (the victim),” Mr Gucciardo said.

Police caught up with Moyle — a disqualified driver — at a friend’s house in Wantirna.

The court heard the victim was left feeling “hypersensitive, hyper vigilant” and anxious about her safety and work prospects, while requiring a shoulder reconstruction as well as other surgeries and months of rehab.

Mr Gucciardo heard Moyle’s criminal history dated back to 1992 and was littered with dozens of crimes ranging from drug trafficking to aggravated burglary, as well as a number of stints behind bars.

His drug use was triggered by his traumatic homelife with Moyle using speed and ice at just 13 years old before turning to heroin.

He completed a 10-month term for an aggravated burglary one month before the hospital incident.

“Your life has been ravaged by drug abuse and you are at risk of institutionalisation,” Mr Gucciardo said.

“Upon (the most recent) release you went back to ice use and discontinued medication.

“You effectively attacked a defenceless woman while brandishing a knife and making threats to stab her.

“This conduct was terrifying for her.”

Moyle pleaded guilty on September 25 to aggravated carjacking, attempted theft, theft, and drive while disqualified.

He was jailed for four years and two months with a non-parole period of three years, and was barred from obtaining a licence for three years.