Mansfield driver's ‘extremely unsafe manoeuvre’ left 86-year-old woman with ‘life-changing injuries’
A Mansfield woman who left an 86-year-old pedestrian with “life-changing injuries” after carelessly reversing her car into her has been spared immediate custody, a court has heard.
Joanne Gregg, aged 51, of Eakring Road, Mansfield, admitted causing serious injury by driving without due care and attention, when she appeared at Mansfield Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
The incident happened on Forest Road, Kirkby, on October 2 last year, said Lynn Bickley, prosecuting.
She said the standard of Gregg's driving was just below the threshold for prosecuting the case as dangerous driving.
The offence has a starting point of one year in custody and a range between 26 weeks and two years, she said.
Nadir Prabatani, mitigating, said Gregg, who has no previous convictions, deserved credit for her early guilty plea and deep remorse, and provided references to prove her good character.
“This is a very sad case,” the presiding magistrate told Gregg. “The injuries caused to her are likely to be life changing and it is uncertain if she will ever regain her independence.”
He said Gregg carried out an "extremely unsafe manoeuvre”, and the manner of her driving and the grave injuries she inflicted meant the offence passed the custody threshold.
But the bench decided to suspend the sentence because of the impact jailing her would have on her children.
Gregg was sentenced to one year in prison, suspended for 12 months, but no other requirements were imposed.
She was also ordered to pay a £187 surcharge as well as £85 court costs.
She was disqualified for 12 months and must take an extended driving test before she gets behind the wheel again.