Source : Perth Now news
After running over a grandmother with her own car in a hospital car park, thief Adam Barry found her bank card and stopped by McDonald’s.
Mary Iviglia was dragged several metres and then run over by the car’s rear wheel as Barry, 26, sped away from Casey Hospital in Melbourne’s southwest.
The 66-year-old was left with serious injuries including fractures to her eye socket, cheekbone and ribs and a laceration to her forehead.
Victorian County Court Judge Anthony Lewis called Barry’s failure to stop and help Ms Iviglia “morally reprehensible behaviour” as he jailed the thief for at least two-and-a-half years.
With time served, Barry will be eligible for parole in October 2027.
Ms Iviglia’s daughter, Georgie Thobis told media outside court she was disappointed with the leniency of the sentence.
She also took issue with Barry being allowed to appear via video link from custody.
“My parents never had the opportunity to come face-to-face (with him),” she said.
“There’s a different sense of responsibility when you have to look someone in the eye.”
On the day of the incident, Ms Iviglia drove her ill husband to hospital and stopped her grey SUV outside the entrance while she took him inside in a wheelchair.
As she was returning to her car, Barry entered the vehicle and shut the door.
Ms Iviglia ran to the car and pulled open the door, asking Barry what he was doing to which he replied, “I’m taking this”, the court was told.
The grandmother then attempted to take the keys out of the ignition but Barry grabbed her hand and drove off.
She was dragged several metres before Barry let go.
The back right tyre of the vehicle then ran over her arm, narrowly missing her head.
Barry later located Ms Iviglia’s bank card, which he used to purchase cigarettes and food from McDonald’s on two separate occasions.
He later pleaded guilty to a string of offences over the April 2025 incident, including theft, dangerous driving and failing to stop and render assistance.
The court was told Barry has struggled with homelessness, drug use and mental health issues after growing up in a violent and traumatic household.
Judge Lewis set a head sentence of three years and nine months
He disqualified Barry from holding a driver’s licence for eight years.
