A 53-year-old man who crashed through the boom gates at Bunnings Warehouse in Brookvale has been sentenced to six months imprisonment after a magistrate rejected his claim that the incident was a medical emergency.
Matthew James Hall was discovered semiconscious behind the wheel of a BMW at approximately 10.23pm on 3 March, having crashed through the car park entrance at the Bunnings store located at Westfield Warringah Mall in Cross Street, Brookvale. The vehicle had rolled about 30 metres before colliding with a parked Kia sedan.
The unemployed Erskineville resident, who has been banned from driving until 2031 and hasn’t held a valid licence since 1998, told emergency services he had been attending a nearby party when he left to purchase food. Hall, who suffers from diabetes, claimed he desperately needed sustenance to prevent his blood sugar from dropping dangerously low.
His solicitor, Simon Grover, argued in Manly Local Court on Wednesday that his client’s judgement had become impaired due to hypoglycaemia. “It was a medical emergency, that’s how I see it,” Mr Grover told the court, explaining that Hall’s thoughts had become erratic due to low blood sugar levels.
However, Magistrate Daniel Reiss was not convinced by the medical emergency defence. He questioned why Hall had not simply asked for food at the party or requested someone else drive him to obtain supplies if he was feeling unwell.
“It’s not a justifiable medical emergency,” Magistrate Reiss stated. “Your driving record is horrendous.”
The court heard that Hall has 10 previous convictions for driving while disqualified, though he claimed these related to his use of electric scooters rather than motor vehicles.
Under NSW law, driving while disqualified carries maximum penalties of up to $3,300 and six months imprisonment for a first offence, while second or subsequent offences can result in fines up to $5,500 and imprisonment for up to 12 months.
Hall pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified as a second offence. Magistrate Reiss sentenced him to six months prison and imposed an additional 12-month driving disqualification period.
The convicted man has since lodged an appeal with the District Court challenging the severity of his sentence.
The incident occurred at one of the northern beaches’ major retail centres, with Westfield Warringah Mall being a significant shopping destination in Brookvale that serves the Northern Beaches region.
Published 11-September-2025
