Mansfield pensioner knocked down pedestrian at petrol station leaving victim with pain and limited mobility

An eyewitness saw Susan Wright, aged 79, pull away from the pumps and head for the exit, on the Sainsbury's forecourt, on Nottingham Road, on March 17 last year, said Lucy Woodcock, prosecuting.

"I thought the driver would have seen the lady in the road,” she said. "The car was still turning right and the driver continued towards her.

"It was not a big collision but the lady was knocked to the floor. She was in a foetal position on the floor. If the car hadn’t stopped it would have run over her feet.”

She said Wright was “clearly in shock”, but checked on the victim and waited with her until the ambulance arrived.

In a statement, her victim said: "My quality of life has changed. I am in a lot of pain, my mobility has deteriorated. I can’t stretch my left arm very far and some days it just generally hurts.

"I struggle with other daily tasks. I was independent before the collision. I can't walk very far now and must use crutches or a stick.

"The consultant at the hospital told me I can't fully bend my left knee. I must take painkillers before I go to bed and wake up in the night if I need more.”

The court heard she is awaiting an operation for torn cartiledge in her left knee, and although she still works part-time at bingo, she needs help from other staff.

Jim Buckley, said Wright, of previous good character, was fully insured and was only travelling at two or three MPH when the impact happened.

“I don’t want to belittle what (the victim) says of her injuries," he said. "I think she is of a certain age which makes her more vulnerable.

“(Wright) has never even had a parking ticket. Losing her good name is very much part of the punishment this court can inflict on her.

"Her behaviour after the accident was exemplary.”

Wright, of Chatsworth Drive, Mansfield, admitted causing serious injury by careless driving when she appeared at Mansfield Magistrates Court on Tuesday, February 24..

She was fined £738, with a £295 surcharge and £85 costs. She was disqualified for 12 months.