Tara McConchie: Woman nearly kills boyfriend after argument at barbecue

June 2024 · 2 minute read

A Melbourne woman who nearly killed her boyfriend with her car after an argument suffered from an “explosion of anger”, a court has been told.

Tara McConchie, 37, and Damien Osborne were at a barbecue with friends in Point Cook on March 7 2021, when, after a night of drinking, the pair became embroiled in an argument in the early hours of the morning over McConchie’s daughter.

On Thursday, the County Court of Victoria was told that shortly after 2am, McConchie sought to leave the Parliament St address in the pair’s white Holden Jackaroo, but Mr Osborne clutched to the side of the car.

Prosecutor Philip Teo told the court that when McConchie revved the engine, Mr Osborne remained on the side of the car. McConchie then drove about 100m down the road before breaking suddenly, throwing her long-term partner and father of one her children from the car.

Mr Teo said Mr Osborne was rushed to hospital, where he remained in an induced coma and on life support for 10 days, after landing on the road about 10m from the car.

On Thursday, McConchie, a mother of three, pleaded guilty to the charge of dangerous driving causing severe injury and the summary charge of driving under the influence.

Mr Teo said that after the incident, which nearly killed Mr Osborne, witnesses heard McConchie yelling “he’s going to die” on the street.

He said an investigation after the incident suggested that McConchie was travelling more than 40km/h when she slammed on the brakes and the Holden Jackaroo must have been travelling at a “significant” speed to throw Mr Osborne that far from the car.

Defence barrister Leighton Gwynn said his client was in the midst of an “explosion of anger” when the incident occurred, and her partner had assaulted her.

“She had been struck by Mr Osborne,” Mr Gwynn said.

He said it was an “unusual” situation but not one that involved “racing or skylarking”.

“He remains on the vehicle despite her revving the engine and holds on when she drives off.”

Mr Gwynn said McConchie had a “very limited” criminal history and no prior driving convictions.

He said she had completed an anger management course and was taking medication for antidepressants and anxiety.

Judge Gerard Mullaly will sentence McConchie on March 8.

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