A driver jailed after causing the death of a beloved grandmother told a court she did not see her crossing the road.

Christine Ward, 64, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving following a horror smash on November 15, 2022, in Darlington. Grandmother Kim Piper was stuck by Ward's car as she made her way to work and died from her injuries in hospital.

Teesside Crown Court heard Ms Piper, 60, was waiting to cross at the pedestrian crossing on Victoria Road opposite Sainsbury's at around 4.50pm. At the time, the defendant - who is also a grandmother - was behind the wheel of a KIA Picanto and failed to stop despite the light being on red.

Outlining the case, prosecutor Rachel Butt said it was dark, the roads were wet and it was raining. She said the defendant was in the nearside lane and approaching the pedestrian crossing where Ms Piper was waiting before the fatal crash.

She said: "Once the traffic light turned to red the defendant indicated to move in the offside lane. When the pedestrian crossing turned to the green man Ms Piper began to walk and it was at that point the defendant failed to stop and her vehicle collided with Ms Piper."

The court heard Ward, of Bishop Auckland, stopped and got out of her vehicle along with several other drivers. Emergency services quickly descended on the scene and treated the victim.

Ms Piper's injuries included broken ribs and a head chest and pelvic injury.. Ms Butt said: "Despite medical intervention and the best efforts of the medical professionals, Ms Piper did succumb to her injuries on the 3rd of December."
'I feel completely robbed of my happy, loving home'

Victim statements from two of Ms Piper's sons were read out on court. One stated: "Before my mum passed away we lived together, we shared a happy loving home and a comfortable life together. She was the person I was closest to in the world, who I loved the most.

"It would not be an exaggeration to say that this incident has ruined my life as well. In her absence I feel completely robbed of my happy, loving home and of that comfortable life."

Her other son said Ms Piper was loved by her five children and 10 grandchildren and said losing his mum has left a "hole in their lives which can never be filled."

However, in mitigation, Robert Mochrie his his client is genuinely remorseful. He read out a letter on behalf of Ward in court, which states: "As a mother and grandmother myself I can understand how utterly devastating this accident must have been and wish to convey my deepest condolences to the family.

"I have always been a careful and considerate driver. I used to work with disabled children taking them out for the day and as far as I'm aware I've never driving through an amber light or a red light until that fateful day. Due to horrendous weather conditions I did not see the lady crossing the road in front of me and I was focused on the traffic around me."

The defendant has no previous convictions and went on to say the incident has left her with mental health issues and in the last year she has been unable to go out. She said she has not been able to face going back to work and has resigned.

In sentencing, Judge Jonathan Carroll said he accepts her remorse is genuine but the custody threshold has been passed. He sentenced the Yorkshire Place resident to 10 months in prison.

https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/driver-jailed-10-months-after-28376473