Woman hit after Keighley driver lost control (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Woman hit after Keighley driver lost control

7:10am Wednesday 16th May 2012 in News

A retired civil servant who lost control of her car and struck a grandmother walking her dog has been ordered to pay a fine and costs totalling £1,000.

Ruth Brady, 68, injured Sandra Blackburn and killed her pet, Cheeko, when she hit scaffolding, veered across the road and mounted the pavement in Main Street, Denholme, Bradford Crown Court heard.

Brady, of Bronte Caravan Park, Lees Moor, Keighley, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving on September 1 last year.

Prosecutor Alisha Kaye said yesterday Mrs Blackburn was at the Parkinson Road junction when Brady lost control at the wheel and struck her. Her vehicle went on to hit a sign and a post box before coming to a halt.

Miss Kaye said a woman with her young daughter was forced to run out of the way to avoid being hit.

Mrs Blackburn was taken to hospital with bruising to her knee and wrist. She told the court in a victim personal statement that she had since suffered anxiety, sleeplessness and stress.

She was now frightened to walk on the Main Road and relatives had to run errands for her.

Brady told the police she felt drowsy before the accident, but denied falling asleep.

Of previous good character, she had been driving for 11 years.

Her solicitor advocate, Adam Walker, said she was not speeding.

She had not driven since and did not plan to get behind the wheel again. She was retired after working for 30 years as a civil servant.

Mr Walker said Brady was originally charged with careless driving, but the charge was changed to dangerous driving after the case was reviewed.

Judge Colin Burn said Bradford and Keighley Magistrates’ Court should have dealt with the matter and not sent it to the Crown Court.

He said Brady lost control of her vehicle in “a moment of great inattention”.

Brady was banned from driving for 18 months and must take an extended retest to get her licence back.

She was fined £750 and ordered to pay £250 towards the cost of the prosecution.