A female takeaway driver has been spared jail after driving on the wrong side of the road and ploughing into an 82-year-old woman who then ‘went up into the air’.
Elderly Margaret Clarke – a ‘very successful bowler’ – was struck by 19-year-old Nicola Brokane in Sandwich in Kent.
The pensioner suffered life-changing injuries as a result of the impact and has told of how at one point she wished she had been killed so as not to feel like ‘such an inconvenience’.
University student Brokane dodged a prison sentence when she appeared at Margate Magistrates’ Court but was banned from driving for a year.
This was despite the magistrate pointing out the incident had had a ‘significant impact’ on Ms Clarke – affecting all aspects of her life.
KentOnline reports the court heard Ms Clarke had gone to a ‘jive class’ in Sandwich on February 29 before stopping off at the New Inn and having two halves of Guinness.
It was when she was walking back to her car in the evening that tragedy occurred as Ms Clarke travelled down Delf Street, past the Fleur De Lis pub and right into No Name Street, walking past No Name Shop.
Prosecutor Julie Fabrace said: ‘CCTV clearly shows she (Brokane) was on the wrong side of the road.
University student Brokane dodged a prison sentence when she appeared at Margate Magistrates’ Court but was banned from driving for a year
No Name Street in Sandwich, Kent. The tragedy occurred as Ms Clarke travelled down Delf Street, past the Fleur De Lis pub and right into No Name Street walking past No Name Shop
‘No Name Street is two ways.
‘She turned right off Cattle Market and Ms Clarke was already crossing.
‘She was struck which caused her to be propelled three metres down the road.’
Ms Clarke said in court she had seen Brokane ‘laughing’ behind the wheel moments before the collision.
She added: ‘We locked eyes as I got hit by the car.
‘I remember screaming as I went up in the air.’
When police and paramedics arrived on scene they discovered Ms Clarke’s injuries included a partially collapsed lung, skin tears and a fractured shin bone.
Ms Clarke told of how she subsequently spent three weeks in hospital and was forced to move in with her son due to her home not having a suitable layout to aid recovery.
Her ex-husband was also called upon to look after her dog Daisy, who she enjoyed walking.
The 82-year-old added she would have needed to move into a care home had it not been for her son’s help.
She said in her victim impact statement: ‘I am also afraid of being lonely and being unable to look after myself without the support of my children.
‘I feel I am intruding on my children’s lives.
‘At one point, I thought it would be better if the driver had killed me so I wasn’t such an inconvenience.’
Ms Farbrace said Brokane was working as a delivery driver for takeaway restaurants at the time of the collision, and had just finished one job and was travelling to another.
She said: ‘That may have been the reason she was rushing round – why she was on the wrong side of the road and hit Ms Clarke.’
Defending, Ian Bond added the teenager was ‘very aware of the tragic consequences’ of her actions.
He said: ‘She is a young person, and youth and immaturity are always mitigating features.
‘Likewise, to come to the court of previous good character – exemplary character – I abide you to give her all due credit for that.’
Brokane, of Bramley Close, Ash, near Canterbury, voluntarily attended Dover police station in April, arranging for a duty solicitor to go with her.
She gave a ‘no comment’ interview following legal advice given to her.
Mr Bond said: ‘She was given clear advice and I would say poor advice to make no comment.
‘I hope the court would not detract from the submissions I make about remorse.’
Mr Bond also said Brokane had been in a ‘blind panic’ following the incident and ‘did all she could’ to assist Ms Clarke at the scene.
He said: ‘It was a very rainy day and after the collision, there were members of the public helping [Ms Clarke].
‘My client remained by Ms Clarke. There was an umbrella and a coat put over her.’
She pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless driving at a previous hearing in November.
Sentencing Brokane on December 13, magistrate Christopher MacKenny imposed a 14-week prison term, suspended for 12 months, 200 hours of unpaid work and 10 days of rehabilitation activity requirement.
He concluded: ‘Ms Brokane, this accident has caused a significant impact on Ms Clark affecting all aspects of her life.’
Mr MacKenny also disqualified the teenager from driving for a year and told her she must retake her test before she can get behind the wheel again.
A court surcharge of £154 must also be paid within 28 days.
