A poignant tribute has been paid to 86-year-old Maureen Sanderson, who lost her life in a tragic collision outside an Iceland supermarket on Nuthall Road in Aspley. The incident, which occurred on 13 October last year, saw Ms Sanderson struck by a car just moments after she made a 'thank you' gesture to the driver, Tracie Spowage.
Ms Spowage, a 58-year-old charity worker from Basford, had pleaded guilty to causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving and was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday. She received a 10-month jail term, suspended for 12 months, and was disqualified from driving for 18 months.
Prosecutor Philip Cowburn detailed how Ms Spowage waited for 14 seconds at the car park junction before driving forward, colliding with Ms Sanderson who had been raising her hand in a 'thank you' motion towards the vehicle. This sequence of events was described by Judge Steven Coupland as a failure to 'keep a proper look out or check before moving off', resulting in the tragic consequences.
Ms Sanderson's family, including her daughter Michelle, have spoken about their profound distress at losing their loved one. A victim impact statement highlighted the difficult decision to turn off her ventilator and the upsetting sight of her mother's favourite coat covered in blood. The court also heard that Ms Spowage had nearly 30 years of driving experience but had three points on her licence for a speeding offence two years prior.
As part of her sentence, Judge Coupland ordered Ms Spowage to attend 30 rehabilitation sessions and imposed a six-month curfew, restricting her from leaving her home between 8pm and 6am. In his sentencing remarks, the judge acknowledged that Ms Sanderson was 'entitled to cross the road where she did'.
Ms Spowage's defence counsel, Lucky Thandi, stated that his client would 'carry the guilt' of causing Ms Sanderson's death for the rest of her life. The sentence has been met with a sense of justice being served by those who knew and loved Ms Sanderson.