Norman Richard Rutherford, 58, formerly of Bathurst, appeared before Acting Judge A Garling at the Sydney Downing Centre District Court.

Rutherford pleaded guilty to the attack and was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm to a person with intent.

A further charge of causing wounding / grievous bodily harm to a person with intent to murder was not pursed after Rutherford pleaded guilty on the lesser charge.

 A third charge of stalking and intimidate with the intention of causing fear of physical harm was withdrawn and dismissed.

Rutherford was a one-time Eglinton Rural Fire Service volunteer and Bathurst Historic Car Club president.

In 2013 he was given the honour of driving Governor-General Quentin Bryce around Mount Panorama during her visit to the city.

He has been in custody since his arrest in 2015.

Rutherford was charged just one day after the victim, then 54, was found unconscious by a passerby in her car parked in Mudridge Lane, off Bentinck Street, in October 2015.

The victim, Cathryn Rutherford, had walked to her car after finishing her shift at Carah’s Cakes and Pies when she was attacked by her former husband. She lay unconscious in the driver’s seat of her car for five hours before being found by a passerby at 10.45pm.

She suffered serious head injuries and was flown to Westmead Hospital.

Detectives from Chifley Local Area Command launched Strike Force Annex and the area was sealed off as forensic police scoured the area for evidence.

The weapon thought to have been used in the attack was found nearby.

Acting Judge Garling sentenced Rutherford to nine years and six months in jail to date from October 9, 2015 and expiring on April 8, 2025.

He was given a non-parole period of five years and nine months meaning Rutherford will be eligible for parole on July 8, 2021.