Community service for nurse who knocked down pensioner in Ballymena
A judge said footage of a driver knocking down an 84-year-old pedestrian at a crossing in Ballymena was “quite horrific”.
The man suffered five broken ribs and a fractured ankle, the town's magistrates' court was told yesterday.
The pensioner was unable to return home after being discharged from hospital and had to go to a nursing home to assist with his recovery, a prosecutor said.
The motorist – Susan Law, 66, of Murob Park in Ballymena – pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily injury by driving without due care and attention at a crossing near the Sainsbury's petrol station at 9.30am on May 15.
The pedestrian told police the motorist approached from the Smyths Toys direction.
The prosecutor said the man was using a pedestrian crossing. The prosecutor said the defendant said it was “hard to see” the crossing and she didn't see the pensioner.
The court heard that although the defendant, a nurse, had a clear record since driving from the age of 18 she had three endorsements on her driving licence for speeding in 2016, 2020 and 2022.
At the earlier court, District Judge Nigel Broderick viewed CCTV footage which prompted him to say “oh my goodness”. He said the footage “is actually quite horrific when you see it”.
The judge had adjourned the case to yesterday saying he wanted photographs taken to illustrate the view the defendant would have had whilst approaching the crossing.
Having viewed the evidence the judge said ”she should have seen him”.
The defendant was ordered to do 100 hours of community service and was banned from driving for a year.