A 96-year-old woman has escaped jail time after becoming the oldest person in the UK to be convicted of causing death by dangerous driving.
June Mills admitted in court that her driving was “far below standard” when she lost control of her Vauxhall Corsa, mounting the pavement and hitting two pedestrians, before crashing into a parked Jaguar, the Mirror reports.
The tragic incident, which took place in Formby, Merseyside, on August 2 last year, left 76-year-old Brenda Joyce dead and another woman, Jennifer Ensor, aged 80, with minor injuries.
Mills told the court that she “panicked” after accidentally hitting the accelerator. Ms Joyce suffered a severe head injury and was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
Her friend, Jennifer Ensor, survived with minor injuries but told the court she would be haunted forever by the memory of the crash. “The moment of being struck from behind by a car… thrown in the air and then learning it had also run over and killed my friend will live with me forever,” she said in a victim impact statement.
Appearing at Liverpool Crown Court, Mills, who is too frail to walk more than a few steps, was handed an 18-month suspended sentence. Judge Simon Medland stated that given her age and health, “it would not profit anybody… or be a just outcome” to send her to prison. He also fined Mills £1,500 and ordered her to pay £500 in court costs, calling the case “utterly tragic.”
The court heard that Ms Joyce had died from multiple blunt force trauma after being thrown into the windscreen of Mills’ car, before being dragged under the vehicle. The incident occurred after Mills accidentally pressed the accelerator too hard and was unable to stop.
Defence lawyer Tom Gent argued that Mills, who was 95 at the time of the crash, had no previous criminal record and was unfit to carry out unpaid work due to her deteriorating mobility.
“She is devastated to have caused someone’s death… she is now reluctant to leave her home and is greatly ashamed that she appears before a criminal court,” he said, adding that Mills felt “genuine and significant remorse” over the tragedy.
Judge Medland added that failing to control the car’s acceleration was a regrettable but common feature of “those of great age who drive”.
Passing sentence he told Mills: “Throughout your very long life, you have never committed a criminal offence. Quite the contrary… many people speak of your kindness, warm heartedness and general goodness.”
But he added: “This court’s sympathy must inevitably rest with Mrs Ensor and of course Brenda Joyce who died.”
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