A grandmother has received a suspended sentence after admitting to causing the death of an 81-year-old woman in a busy car park. Linda Hall, 64, admitted causing the death of Rita Grimshaw by careless driving following a collision at Silverlink Retail Park on 22 December last year.
District Judge Paul Currer, sitting at North Tyneside Magistrates' Court, sentenced Hall on the basis that it was a "momentary lapse" in her driving. She was sentenced to 15 weeks in jail, suspended for 12 months, with the judge noting her early guilty plea.
The court heard that on the night of the crash, the car park was busy and dark. Hall, from Seghill in Northumberland, was travelling at less than 5mph when she pulled out, having looked both ways, but did not see Ms Grimshaw. Her Renault Captur hit Ms Grimshaw, who sustained pelvic injuries and died the following day.
Hall was also banned from driving for 12 months and must pay £85 prosecution costs and a £154 surcharge.