A grandmother has been banned from driving for two years after her car crashed through a nursery fence in Ellesmere Port, trapping a two-year-old boy under its wheels. Jayne James, 63, was sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for 12 months, at Chester Magistrates' Court after admitting dangerous driving.
The incident took place on 16 June in the car park of Partou Sunny Days Nursery in Vale Road, Ellesmere Port, as Ms James was dropping off her granddaughter. Cheshire Police stated her grey Omoda people carrier suddenly accelerated into a playground occupied by 22 children aged between two and three.
The two-year-old boy was struck by the car and pinned between its front wheel and a brick wall. Nursery staff were able to free the boy, who was taken to hospital along with two other children injured by flying debris. Cheshire Police reported that despite a "considerable" friction burn, the children avoided serious physical harm and have since made a full physical recovery.
Ms James, of Knottingly Drive in Great Sutton, was arrested at the scene and told officers she "could not remember any specific details" of how the crash happened. She mentioned a feature on her Omoda that caused it to accelerate if a certain pedal was pressed while stationary. However, a police examination found no mechanical faults with the car that would explain the incident.
Det Sgt Amy Hollis of Cheshire Police said Ms James's "inability to control her vehicle" had put the lives of 22 children "at serious risk." She added that the children and their families are receiving support for the emotional and psychological impact of the collision.