A grandmother who fatally struck an 81-year-old pedestrian in a congested shopping centre car park shortly before Christmas has received a suspended prison sentence.
Linda Hall, 64, pleaded guilty to causing the death of former teacher Rita Grimshaw, 81, by careless driving following the incident at Silverlink Retail Park in North Tyneside on 22 December last year.
Sentencing her at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court, District Judge Paul Currer determined that the fatal crash was the result of a “momentary lapse” in concentration.
Prosecutor Jade Houston described conditions at around 5pm on the evening of the crash as dark, with slow-moving traffic and heavy footfall around the Marks and Spencer store where Mrs Grimshaw was crossing.
The court heard that Hall, of Murrayfield, Seghill, Northumberland, pulled out at under 5mph after checking both directions, but failed to notice the former teacher in the road.
open image in galleryMrs Grimshaw was knocked down by Hall’s Renault Captur and trapped beneath the vehicle, suffering severe pelvic injuries that led to her death the following day.
A probation officer told the court that Hall, a business support manager who became a grandmother shortly before the collision, was deeply traumatised, left in a fragile mental state, and believed she no longer deserved happiness.
Defence solicitor Michael Gibson remarked that Hall “cannot push it out of her mind”.
Taking into account her prompt admission of guilt, Judge Currer handed down a 15-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months.
The judge observed that both women were out Christmas shopping in a car park that was “very busy”.
Security footage confirmed that Hall had been driving at low speed prior to the impact. However, as she executed a right turn, she failed to spot Mrs Grimshaw crossing, which the judge noted may have been caused by a blind spot in her vehicle.
Remarking that Mrs Grimshaw had done “nothing wrong”, the judge described the driver’s actions as a “momentary lapse” with a “traumatic and devastating” outcome.
He added that the defendant had led a “blameless life thus far” with no prior appearances before the court. Hall was disqualified from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs alongside a £154 surcharge.
After passing sentence, the judge offered his condolences directly to Mrs Grimshaw’s widower at the back of the courtroom.
He responded: “It has been a traumatic year.
“Thank you.”