(Image: NORTHUMBRIA POLICE)
A grandma who knocked over a pensioner in a busy retail park car park just days before Christmas, causing fatal injuries, has avoided prison.
Linda Hall, 64, and Rita Grimshaw, 81, had both been Christmas shopping at the Silverlink Retail Park just off the A19 in North Tyneside, on December 22 last year when the former hit Mrs Grimshaw as she crossed the road.
Hall, from Murrayfield, Seghill, Northumberland, was travelling at less than 5mph when she pulled out, having looked both ways, but did not see the former teacher on the road, the court heard.
Her Renault Captur hit Mrs Grimshaw who fell to the ground and she went under the car, causing pelvic injuries from which she died the next day.
Jade Houston, prosecuting, said: "It was dark, traffic was crawling and the car park was busy with cars and pedestrians when Mrs Grimshaw crossed the road near the Marks and Spencer outlet around 5pm that evening."
Mrs Grimshaw was crossed the road outside M&S at the Silverlink when she was hit.
(Image: Google Maps)
She was handed a 15-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, by District Judge Paul Currer at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on the basis that this was a “momentary lapse” in her driving.
Judge Currer said: "Both Hall and Mrs Grimshaw were Christmas shopping and the car park was very busy.
He said that when she made a right turn, she failed to see Mrs Grimshaw crossing the road, which may have been due to a blind spot in the car.
He described the incident as a "momentary lapse" with a "traumatic and devastating" outcome and emphasised that Mrs Grimshaw had done "nothing wrong."
The judge noted Hall’s early guilty plea and said she had led a "blameless life thus far."
Michael Gibson, defending, told the court that Hall "cannot push it out of her mind."
A probation officer said Hall, a business support manager and recent grandmother, had been profoundly affected by the collision and felt she did not deserve to be happy.
In addition to her suspended sentence, Hall was banned from driving for 12 months.
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She was also ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £154 surcharge.
Judge Currer turned to address Mrs Grimshaw’s widower, who was present in court, to offer his condolences.
Mr Grimshaw replied: "It has been a traumatic year. Thank you."