Widower, 90, avoids jail for killing a woman when his car slammed into a group of friends sitting at a café

A 90-year-old widower has been spared jail for killing a woman when his car ploughed into tables outside a Sydney cafe where she was enjoying a morning coffee.

Keith Lockrey had driven into a disabled parking space before pressing the accelerator instead of the brake, causing his Holden Commodore to suddenly move forward.

In Burwood Local Court on Friday, magistrate Susan Horan sentenced him to 13 months' imprisonment to be served by way of an intensive corrections order in the community.

Keith Lockrey accidentally pressed the accelerator instead of the brake, causing his Holden Commodore to smash into the Sydney cafe

Liz Albornoz and her friends were enjoying a coffee at the North Epping eatery in February when the pensioner drove into them

Lockrey, who first got his licence in 1949, pleaded guilty to negligent driving causing death and causing grievous bodily harm.

Liz Albornoz and her friends were enjoying a coffee at the North Epping eatery in February when the pensioner drove into them, pinning at least two people against a wall.

The 39-year-old was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition with stomach injuries but later died.

Paramedics treated nine others after the incident, including four who were taken to hospital in a stable condition.

Lockrey's lawyer, Stephen Mainstone, previously told the court he had demonstrated 'clear and genuine remorse'.

'We're certainly not diminishing that there was a death and serious injuries... there was one moment of inattention, possibly in the span of two to three seconds,' he said.

'All the planets aligned and the tragic situation happened.'

Nine people were injured after the elderly motorist's car ploughed into the mothers' group, with several suffering broken bones

He said the pensioner had already conceded his 'days of driving are over'.

'He's not interested in driving again,' the lawyer said.

The intensive corrections order is subject to the standard conditions of not committing any offence and being supervised by a community corrections officer.

No additional requirements were set due to 'exceptional circumstances'.

The magistrate also banned Lockrey from holding a driver's licence for five years.