Drunk massage therapist who ploughed into three party-goers at a New Year's bash leaving them with 'lifelong injuries' learns her fate in court

• e-mail

A massage therapist who left three party-goers with life-altering injuries after ploughing into them at a New Year's Eve bash has been jailed. 

Sharon Louise Gordon, 60, was drunk when she hit three people with her campervan after smashing through a locked gate on Tasmania's Bruny Island on December 31, 2021.

Gordon faced Hobart Supreme Court on Tuesday and was sentenced to three years behind bars after pleading guilty to dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm.

Elizabeth Jedamzik, Peter Kirk-Williams, and Dominique La Fontaine were left with devastating injuries.

Supreme Court judge Stephen Estcourt said Gordon had been asked to leave the party after getting into heated arguments with her husband and other revellers. 

She returned in the campervan and ploughed through the locked gate, that been closed to prevent her from entering, at about 9:30pm. 

Sharon Louise Gordon, 60, hit three people with her campervan when she drunkenly drove through a locked gate on Tasmania's Bruny Island on December 31, 2021

Gordon faced Hobart Supreme Court on Tuesday and was sentenced to three years behind bars after pleading guilty to dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm

Mr Kirk-Williams and Ms La Fontaine, a couple from Victoria, had arrived at the party in their Landcruiser shortly after Gordon left. 

The impact of the campervan saw Mr Kirk-Williams 'catapulted' over the bonnet of his car while Ms La Fointaine and Ms Jedamzik were struck just moments later. 

Ms Jedamzik suffered three broken teeth, several broken ribs and also lost the skin from her lower left leg. 

The injury, known as 'de-gloving' occurs when the majority of the skin covering the muscles and tendons is ripped off, with the bones in her leg exposed. 

Ms Jedamzik now struggles to walk unassisted and told the court last week in a statement read by her husband she wishes she could have her old life back. 

'I am determined to walk unassisted … I know I will never run or climb but I want to be able to walk,' the statement read.  

Ms La Fontaine suffered post-traumatic amnesia, head trauma, a subarachnoid haemorrhage and injuries to her fingers. 

She was placed in a coma until January 3, with both woman spending up to a month in hospital after the incident.

Gordon said her name was Louise when approached by officers at the scene, telling them: 'I'm a bit pissed, I put my foot on the accelerator and f***ed up big time.'

Ms La Fontaine previously told the court the accident had significantly affected her life, both financially and professionally.

'I have suffered financial loss, the loss of essentially a year of work has affected my career trajectory,' she said. 

Mr Kirk-Williams fractured his pelvis and sustained a multi-ligament injury to his knee in the collision, telling the court he struggled to complete everyday tasks.

The couple had to give up their beloved dog as they were unable to care for it. 

Justice Estcourt said Gordon had an estimated blood alcohol reading of between 0.184 and 0.290 when she ploughed through the gate. 

He said she identified herself as Louise and told police officers at the scene: 'I'm a bit pissed, I put my foot on the accelerator and f***ed up big time.'

Last week, Gordon's lawyer told the court she felt disgusted, ashamed and embarrassed and that she had no recollection of the crash but realised she was responsible when police escorted her off the property.  

The court heard Gordon's licence had been disqualified four times for drink-driving offences and that she had been unlicensed at the time of the incident

Justice Estcourt said while the Hobart massage therapist was extremely health conscious, she had struggled with binge-drinking for decades. 

The court heard Gordon's licence had been disqualified four times for drink-driving offences and that she had been unlicensed at the time. 

Justice Estcourt noted that she was 'deeply' remorseful and that spending time behind bars would have significant financial consequences. 

Gordon was sentenced to three years behind bars, to be backdated to April 2022. 

She must serve 18 months before she is eligible for parole and will be suspended from driving for two years after her release.